Valencia president Layhoon Chan has explained their decision to sell Paco Alcacer to Barcelona.

Chan defended the sale.

"It was the biggest decision of the transfer market [for us], the most complicated part of the summer -- we never wanted to sell him," she told a news conference on Friday. "If we'd wanted to sell, we'd have done so three weeks earlier.

"There are two aspects in the Alcacer case: the sporting and the social. In terms of money, it was easy to take a decision, the offer was good.

"But for me, Paco's not like other players. He was an icon, but one week ago he told us he wanted to leave. I was really disappointed with what I heard.

"I understand it's difficult for a player to reject Barcelona, and in the end I spoke with [sporting director] Suso.

"When someone doesn't want to be an icon and his heart is in another place, it doesn't make sense to convert him into an icon.

"In the talk with Paco I insisted on asking if he was sure what he was doing, because for us he was important, a unique player. And Paco told me he'd made his mind up and he wanted a change, he wanted to leave and he asked the club to accept Barcelona's offer.

"I relayed these talks to [Valencia owner] Peter Lim and we told Paco there was one condition: we'd consider the offer as long as we were able to find a replacement, if not he would continue at Valencia.

"I think that for Paco, Valencia will continue to be his home. I'm really disappointed with what's gone on, but not angry. You can't be angry with someone you consider a son and wish the best for."