Valencia's Chelsea target Albelda ready to listen to offers

Reports in Spain yesterday claimed the Premier League runners-up would be interested in ending Albelda's spell at the Mestalla by taking him to London, but only if the player was available on a free transfer.

Ready to move: David Albelda pursues Chelsea's Frank Lampard during a Champions League tie in April 2007

With Los Che reported to be in financial difficulties due to their early exit from the Champions League last season, combined with the costs of building a new stadium and the compensation paid to former coach Ronald Koeman, the Spanish club are unlikely to consider letting the player go for nothing despite the fact he did not feature much last season.

Albelda admitted today that Valencia were yet to receive any bid for him, but added he would be more than willing to listen to offers if and when they come.

"It's my obligation to listen to offers because Valencia are after money for me," he told Valencian newspaper Las Provincias.

"What's for sure is it being difficult for them to reach an agreement. Until now all there has been is interest but nothing concrete.

"Right now I'm on holiday and I don't want to know about any of this.

"I'm a Valencia player, I have a contract with them and I'll only get involved when it's time to sign something, if in the end there's an agreement."

Albelda is looking to move away after being dropped from the Valencia first team by Koeman last season, after which he sat out most of the team's disappointing campaign.

The club's new coaching staff have said they want Albelda to stay, but the midfielder insists it is too late to repair the damage.

"Valencia should have considered me an important player in December, not now," he continued.

"That's what I would have liked, that they had thought about this the day they took the decision to kick me out of the first team and throw the club's values to the floor.

"Honestly I don't feel nor can I feel important to them (the club directors)."