Raul Albiol is prepared to snub
both Liverpool and Arsenal's overtures to remain at Valencia,
although the defender admits the decision may be out of his
hands.
Albiol is regarded as one of the best defenders in La Liga and
has attracted interest in England, with the Premier League duo
linked with the Spain international.
The 23-year-old still has two years left on his contract and has
a buy-out clause of nearly £50million - although reports in Spain
suggest a bid of around £13m would be sufficient to prize the Euro
2008 winner away.
Amidst the financial plight gripping Valencia, Los Che could
face a summer exodus of their star players, including Spain duo
David Villa and David Silva, as well as Albiol.
But the home-grown centre-back has given the Mestalla supporters
the clearest indication that he hopes to remain at his local club
for the rest of his career.
"If you have to go, you will, but until 30th June we are all
here defending the Valencia shirt," Albiol said.
"I want to be here. I'm happy playing at my home-town club and I
hope I can always remain here. I have a contract here and I hope to
complete it."
Valencia's off-field troubles has corresponded with their woeful
form on the pitch as last weekend's shock defeat at bottom club
Numancia saw the Spanish outfit plummet down to eighth in the
league, six points adrift of a lucrative UEFA Champions League
place .
Unai Emery's side have won just one of their last 10 competitive
fixtures - against Almeria on 1st February - and during that poor
run have been knocked out of both the Copa del Rey and Uefa
Cup.
And Albiol has targeted a win in this weekend's clash against
Recreativo Huelva as the aim to get things back on track, at least
on the pitch
"Winning on Saturday is key for us to get closer to the
Champions League places. We need to pick up the three points and
show that we are a good team," he said.
"We have to give it everything and focus on the 12 games that
remain, which are going to be difficult.
"It's still possible to achieve out objective of finishing in
the top four."
