According to reports from The Sun and The Express yesterday morning, Liverpool are targeting Manchester United outcast Victor Valdes.
The former Barcelona No.1 moved to Old Trafford as a free agent in January and made two Premier League appearances for the Red Devils at the end of last season, following an injury to David De Gea.
But Louis van Gaal surprisingly revealed in July that the 2010 World Cup winner had been placed on the transfer list after refusing to represent United’s U21 squad, stating; “He doesn’t follow my philosophy. There is no place for someone like that.” He came close to joining Besiktas in the final week of the summer transfer window but the deal collapsed at the last minute.
Valdes was surprisingly registered in United’s 25-man Premier League squad yet remains unlikely to feature for the first team any time soon; the Red Devils signed Argentina No.1 Sergio Romero during the summer, tied De Gea down to extended terms earlier this month and still have the highly-rated Sam Johnstone lurking in the background.
The Express claim Liverpool are looking to take the 33 year-old off United’s hands to provide competition for Simon Mignolet’s starting berth. That would make him the first player to move directly between the two northwest rivals since Phil Chisnall all the way back in 1964.
But they’re not the only Premier League side interested. According to reports last week, Chelsea have shortlisted the veteran shot-stopper for an emergency loan, should Asmir Begovic become sidelined through injury or suspension before the January transfer window.
Their resident No.1 Thibaut Courtois is out of action until December due to a knee injury, meaning the Blues will be forced to turn to 21 year-old Jamal Blackman if the Bosnian international is ruled out as well. He’s made just one senior appearance to date – a Capital One Cup outing whilst on loan at Middlesbrough last season.
Along with Valdes, Atletico Madrid’s Miguel Angel Moya, Inter Milan’s Juan Pablo Carrizo and Porto’s Helton have all been listed as potential candidates for emergency loan.