Anzhi Makhachkala, the team whose captain is Samuel Eto'o, whose sporting director is Roberto Carlos and whose president is also the president of the Republic of Dagestan, wants to sign Victor Valdés as its starting goalkeeper, if at all possible, from next season. The club is willing to break the bank to get its man.

The Russian side has already contacted Valdés with a clear message: it wants him to become the goalkeeper with whom the club can make a step up in both the Russian league and the Champions League and to do this it plans to make him the highest-paid keeper in the world.

The Russian club is prepared to pay Valdés €10m per season, an amount that could increase to €12m based on bonuses. Anzhi understands that the only way to make a return on the huge investment it has made to break into Europe's big time is by having the best players in every position, not only in attack.

Valdés' name has been discussed by coaching staff at the Russian club, now managed by Guus Hiddink, since the moment they heard of his decision to leave Barcelona. It is unlikely that any other team could offer a package anywhere in the region of the one being offered to Valdés by Anzhi.