De la Pena wants Espanyol stay
Ivan De la Pena has announced that he wants to sign a new contract
with Espanyol as soon as possible and put an end to reports linking
him with a move to Valencia.
The 31-year-old midfielder's current deal at the Barcelona-based
club expires at the end of June, but he is ready to sit down and
thrash out a new deal.
Rumours surfaced that Valencia were keen on signing him on a free
transfer, but after reaching the Uefa Cup final this term De la
Pena wants to help Espanyol to greater things.
Negotiations are due to begin next week and the former Barcelona,
Lazio and Marseille playmaker hinted that he is prepared to end his
career with los Periquitos.
"We have agreed to hold talks next week," he explained in a press
conference on Friday. "I expect to have everything sorted out soon
and to stay here for many years.
"My position is the same now as it has been for several
months.
"The two sides want to carry on together and I do not think that it
will be difficult to reach an agreement.
"I really feel at home here. I have been treated magnificently
since I arrived and even more so after the final last week when the
fans were incredible.
"That gave me even more incentive to want to stay."
De la Pena believes that he can help Espanyol to build on their
performance this season, but admits that the club will have to dip
into the transfer market to bolster the squad.
"We have had three good years," he said. "Now we cannot afford to
sit back and to think that the job is done.
"We need a leap up again in quality.
"Hopefully we can have another go at it, but I know it will be very
difficult.
"I would love to do it all again after what I have experienced this
year, because it has been great and we all really wanted to win
something.
"I truly believe that we will win it one day though."
Despite spending his formative years at Barcelona, the
Santander-born De la Pena believes that Real Madrid are best placed
to lift this season's league championship.
"Madrid is the favourite because they are the current leaders and
if they do not make any mistakes then they will win," he
stated.
"Two weeks ago I would have given a different answer."
