Keeper targets Premier League return.
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Watford goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has said that he snubbed a move to Spanish giants Valencia over the summer in order to stay at Watford and ‘finish the job’ by getting them back into the Premier League, Sky Sports reports.
The 36-year-old was offered the chance to return to his homeland during the transfer window with Valencia looking to strengthen their ranks ahead of their own European campaign.
However, Almunia preferred instead to prolong his nine year stay in England by committing to The Hornets.
And he has credited his motivation to stay at Vicarage Road with the chance of playing in the Premier League once again. Something which he came agonisingly close to achieving with the club last season, only to fall at the final hurdle.
He is convinced that Gianfranco Zola’s men can make up for what they missed out on last term by finally getting themselves over the line and he has insisted that he has no regrets over turning a move to Valencia down.
“Playing in the final and losing at Wembley is one of the strong reasons I stayed,” he said.
“I want to finish the job here.
“Valencia wanted me but I told Watford they would be my first option.”
Almunia joined Watford last summer and went on to make 40 appearances, keeping 11 clean sheets.