According to reports from The Daily Star yesterday evening, Newcastle United are considering a January swoop for Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Magpies No.1 Tim Krul was stretchered off during the Netherlands’ Euro 2016 qualifier with Kazakhstan on Saturday and has now been ruled out for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Newcastle will receive a multi-million compensation settlement, according to Mirror Football, but they’re still faced with the task of finding someone to fill the 27 year-old’s void between the sticks when the transfer window opens in January.
According to The Star, Steve McClaren’s side have identified Manchester United’s ostracised goalkeeper Victor Valdes as a potential candidate.
The Spain international was transfer listed by Louis van Gaal during the summer after allegedly refusing to represent United’s U21 squad and almost joined Besiktas during the final week of the transfer window – so he’s certainly surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.
Chelsea and Liverpool have both been linked with the 33 year-old in recent weeks but United are allegedly refusing to cancel his contract unless he agrees to leave the Premier League – which obviously creates problems for Newcastle as well.
Krul, meanwhile, has told the club’s official website; “I’m devastated the scan has confirmed my biggest fear, that I have torn my knee cruciate playing for Holland in the game against Kazakhstan last night. My recovery and hard work starts now to fully recover. I’m devastated I can’t play a part on the pitch to help the team turn this season around. I still believe this club can – and should – be up there with the top teams.”