According to reports from London Evening Standard yesterday, Victor Valdes’ agent has confirmed he intends to leave Manchester United in January but wants to stay in the Premier League.
The former Barcelona No.1, who arrived at Old Trafford as a free agent in January 2015 and made two appearances at the end of last season, was transfer listed by Louis van Gaal during the summer after allegedly refusing to represent United’s U21 squad.
He’s since been made to train away from the rest of the first team at Carrington, leading agent Giles Carvajal to declare earlier this month that he’ll be leaving the Red Devils in January.
According to the Evening Standard, the 33 year-old’s representative has reiterated that message once again but also stressed a desire to remain in the Premier League.
They quote Carvajal as saying; “We are relying on Manchester United letting Victor go. The Premier League is very attractive and Valdes want to stay because he has adapted perfectly to England, but we are not closing the door to any options. There are still two months until the transfer window opens and there is nothing concrete, but the intention is to leave Manchester United.”
The Spain international has been linked with a number of rival Premier League clubs since the start of the season. He’s been mooted as a potential stand-in for the injured Tim Krul at Newcastle United and an emergency loan signing for Chelsea – but they’ve now agreed terms with Marco Ameila instead, who will provide cover until the end of the season.
But Liverpool have been linked with Valdes for some time and could accelerate their interest upon news that the 2010 World Cup winner wishes to stay in England, with doubts still lingering over current No.1 Simon Mignolet.
That would make Valdes the first player to move directly between the two northwest rivals since Phil Chisnall all the way back in 1964, however, and it remains to be seen whether fresh appointment Jurgen Klopp is as keen on the ‘keeper as predecessor Brendan Rodgers – who had initially tried to bring him to Anfield in summer 2014.