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Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves interested in move to Flamengo

Diego Alves would welcome a move to Flamengo from Valencia if the clubs reach an agreement for his transfer.

Valencia are reportedly hoping to sell the 32-year-old goalkeeper this summer with Flamengo said to be keen to sign him.

"I am under contract with Valencia CF until June 2019," Alves told Brazilian channel Esporte Interativo. "But Flamengo is a club that attracts any player in the world."

Fans of the Rio de Janeiro side have taken to social media to welcome the player's possible arrival, but Alves, who was born in Rio, remains guarded.

"One thing is to hear there is interest and another different issue is for the transfer to be done," he added. "I can't say that I would not return to Brazil or that I wouldn't play for Flamengo but in order for that to happen, the two clubs would have to negotiate between them."

Alves played for Brazilian sides Botafogo and Atletico Mineiro before arriving at Almeria in Spain in 2007, before joining Valencia in 2011. Alves is among the team's highest earners alongside Enzo Perez and Dani Parejo.

Valencia were willing to sell Alves last summer for financial reasons but the keeper, who was linked to Barcelona, remained at the club.

Having already sold Australia goalkeeper Maty Ryan to Brighton earlier this month, local reports claim Alves is expected to stay put.

Marca recently reported that Alves was offering his services to Roma but the player's representatives denied it with a statement on Twitter which said: "Neither the Brazilian goalkeeper nor us, the agency that represents him, have contacted the Italian club to make any type of offer."

Valencia begin preseason training on July 3 and Alves plans to be there.

"I'm a Valencia player and I will return to preseason to see what my situation is," he said.

If Alves were to remain at Valencia, he would face stiff competition from Jaume Domenech, who started in 17 league games for the club in the 2015-16 campaign and is eager to re-establish himself as first choice goalkeeper for new coach Marcelino.