The 26-year-old admits he is hopeful that the Spain goalkeeper will opt against leaving Camp Nou next summer in favour of extending his current deal

Barcelona forward Pedro has branded Victor Valdes the "ideal" goalkeeper for the club but refused to reveal whether players have been trying to convince him to stay beyond next summer.

The 31-year-old has signalled his intention not to extend his stay with the Catalans beyond the expiration of his current deal in 2014.

Pedro, 26, believes his Barca and Spain team-mate - whom he considers to be among the best shot-stoppers in the world - will be sorely missed both on and off the pitch at Camp Nou.

"You'll have to ask [Valdes] whether we're trying to convince him to stay," he told Mundo Deportivo.

"It is true we all want him to stay because he is the ideal goalkeeper for Barca, and he has been for many years.

"He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and if he does go, we will miss him a lot because he is a person who is well respected in the dressing room."

Valdes and Petro were picked as starters by Spain boss Vicente del Bosque in la Roja's 2-2 draw with Chile on Tuesday.