Valencia president Chan Lay Hoon has admitted that he was "hugely disappointed" when he learned that Paco Alcacer wanted to leave the Mestalla for Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
Alcacer completed a £26m move to Camp Nou in the latter stages of August and according to Hoon, it was the forward's decision to seek pastures new after spending 11 years with Los Che.
"He insisted to us that we accept the offer from Barcelona. He was a very important player to us - an icon, it did not make sense to us as to why he wanted to leave," Hoon told reporters. "Whenever he told us of his decision we were hugely disappointed, not angry because we see him as our child because of his background and what he represents."
Alcacer, 23, scored 15 times in 40 appearances for Valencia last season and leaves the Mestalla having netted 43 times in all competitions since making his debut in 2010.
The Spain international will act as first back-up to Barcelona's first-choice front three of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Matt Law
