Valdes has one year left on his existing deal but the two parties were seemingly struggling to come to an agreement on a contract extension as negotiations dragged on.

A breakthrough appeared to have been made last night with media reports suggesting Valdes had agreed a new long-term deal, but while Laporta's comments today suggest that is not yet the case, an end looks to be in sight.

Laporta did not confirm or deny that a deal had already been struck for Valdes' contract but told journalists: "The people who are in charge of negotiations assure me that things are going well.

"I think that we will have a satisfactory solution for everyone.

"The negotiations have been normal despite what has been published in the media," Laporta added on his club's website.

The 27-year-old Valdes came up through the youth ranks at home-town club Barca and his been first-choice for much of the last six years at the Nou Camp.

He helped Barca win successive league titles in 2005 and 2006, as well as the 2006 Champions League, while last season he was was the club's number one as they became first Spanish team to win the treble of Primera Division, Copa del Rey and European Cup.

"It's very important to keep Victor in the squad for many years because he is the best goalkeeper and is emblematic of the club," said Laporta, who is confident the fans will not be upset with Valdes in the wake of the protracted negotiations.

"I hope there will be no problems. Victor is well appreciated by the fans and we owe a lot to him. He has been decisive in very important games."

Another player Laporta was quizzed about as he attended a veterans' indoor tournament involving Barca, Real Madrid and AC Milan today was David Villa.

Barca are believed to be one of the clubs interested in Villa, who could be on his way out of Valencia this summer as the financially-strapped Primera Division outfit may be forced to cash-in on their prized asset.

Madrid have been closely linked with the Spain striker, with their president Florentino Perez speaking in depth about his possible signing yesterday, but Laporta was giving little away about whether the Catalan giants were also chasing the player.

"He is a very good player but I don't think that it would be prudent for us to show our desires in public," Laporta was quoted as saying by Sport

"That's why I will not talk of this matter, although I repeat that he is a very good player, I like him a lot and as well as that I think that he gives a very good image, but there are other players I also like a lot, not only him."