Madrid, March 29 (IANS): FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has opened the door for goalkeeper, Victor Valdes, to remain at the club despite the serious knee injury Valdes suffered in midweek.

The Barcelona goalkeeper broke the cruciate ligament of his right knee during Barca's 3-0 win over Celta Vigo Wednesday evening, reports Xinhua.

The injury means Valdes will need an operation and will be out for six months, missing the end of this season, the World Cup and the start of the 2014-15 campaign.

It is a huge setback for Valdes, who said over a year ago that he was not going to sign a new contract with Barcelona as he wanted to end his career playing in a different country.

With Valdes' contract due to expire at the end of June, he faces the prospect of recovering from his injury and having no club, but Bartomeu has assured Valdes he will not be abandoned.

"He has the club at his disposition. Although he is in a bad moment, he has the club for whatever he needs," said Bartomeu, who added that Barca were willing to give Valdes a contract extension despite his injury.

"We'll see how he progresses, but I have no knowledge of him having signed for another club and he knows we would be delighted if he decided to stay here," he said in an interview on Spanish radio station, Cadena Cope Friday.

Valdes has been free to negotiate terms with other clubs since the start of the year, but despite rumours of interest from Manchester City and Monaco, he has yet to announce his next destination.