According to reports from The Daily Mail, Espanyol have offered Victor Valdes the chance to escape his nightmare spell at Manchester United in January.
The Spain international signed for the Red Devils in January 2015 on a free transfer, having parted company with Barcelona the summer prior and spent the intermittent period recovering from an ACL injury. He made two appearances at the end of last season in the injury absence of David De Gea but was transfer listed by manager Louis van Gaal during the summer after allegedly refusing to represent United’s U21 squad.
A late window move to Besiktas fell through, leaving the 33-year-old marooned at Old Trafford. Despite surprisingly being included in United’s registered Premier League squad for the season, Valdes hasn’t made a competitive or reserve appearance in any competition this term and is only allowed to use the training facilities at Carrington when the rest of the first team aren’t around.
Agent Giles Carvajal has confirmed the veteran shot-stopper intends to leave the club in January, with a preference to stay in the Premier League, telling reporters last month; “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.”
A number of English sides appear interested in the three-time Champions League winner; Chelsea were linked in September following injury to their No.1 Thibaut Courtois, although they have since signed former Italy goalkeeper Marco Amelia as extra cover, Newcastle United have often been mooted as potential suitors due to Tim Krul’s season-ending injury, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reportedly shortlisted Valdes as a potential replacement for Simon Mignolet.
But there is a belief that the Red Devils will only cancel Valdes’ contract if he agrees to move abroad, which could force his hand in accepting the latest proposal from Espanyol. Their current No.1 Pau Lopez is only 20 years of age and has conceded the most goals of any La Liga goalkeeper this season, 23, whilst loan signing Francesco Bardi hasn’t featured in any competition since his summer arrival from Inter Milan. Periquitos have already made the offer according to The Daily Mail, but in a similar case to his failed Besiktas move, Valdes’ wage demands could stand in the way. He currently takes home £150k per week at Old Trafford.