Barcelona agreed a deal to extend Victor Valdes' contract at the club only after being told that Sergio Asenjo had agreed to join Atletico de Madrid, according to a report.

Negotiations between Barcelona and their long serving keeper broke down last week when the two sides were unable to reach and agreement, but they were quickly resolved.

While many pundits believed that the club were remaining loyal to Valdes, Sport believe that the reason a deal was finally pushed through was due to Asenjo's decision.

Barcelona were keen to replace their keeper with the Spain' Under 21 stopper and were hoping that he would agree to join them if they off loaded Victor Valdes this summer.

Asenjo though was said to be unsure whether Barcelona club would sell Victor Valdes now or sign him and then keep their number one for another season, meaning he would not be a regular.

Atletico however, have told Asenjo that he will be their first choice with Leo Franco and Gregory Coupet both set to leave the Vicente Cadleron this summer.

When the player's decision reach Barçelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain he decided there and then to ensure that Victor Valdes penned a new deal until 2014.

Barcelona agreed a deal to extend Victor Valdes' contract at the club only after being told that Sergio Asenjo had agreed to join Atletico de Madrid, according to a report.

Negotiations between Barcelona and their long serving keeper broke down last week when the two sides were unable to reach and agreement, but they were quickly resolved.

While many pundits believed that the club were remaining loyal to Valdes, Sport believe that the reason a deal was finally pushed through was due to Asenjo's decision.

Barcelona were keen to replace their keeper with the Spain' Under 21 stopper and were hoping that he would agree to join them if they off loaded Victor Valdes this summer.

Asenjo though was said to be unsure whether Barcelona club would sell Victor Valdes now or sign him and then keep their number one for another season, meaning he would not be a regular.

Atletico however, have told Asenjo that he will be their first choice with Leo Franco and Gregory Coupet both set to leave the Vicente Cadleron this summer.

When the player's decision reach Barçelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain he decided there and then to ensure that Victor Valdes penned a new deal until 2014.