Ronald Koeman would finally solve his goalkeeping woes by bringing Middlesbrough stopper Victor Valdes to Everton this summer.
Valdes, 35, has endured a difficult season at the Riverside this season, with the Teesside club opting to use a rotation policy that saw USA international Brad Guzan given just as much of a chance between the sticks.
Here, This Is Futbol analyses three reasons why 21-time Spain international Valdes would be a crucial signing for the Toffees in the upcoming transfer window.
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Middlesbrough revealed on their official Twitter account on Wednesday afternoon that Valdes would be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer, after mutually agreeing to terminate his current deal 12 months before it was due to expire.
Goalkeeper @1victorvaldes will leave #Boro this summer.
Here's the full story ?? https://t.co/qa6OtCtz14 pic.twitter.com/U3fHvt7eSR
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) May 24, 2017
The Spaniard will be a free agent from June 30, and that should prompt Koeman’s Toffees by bringing him to Goodison Park this summer in what could prove to be the bargain of the summer.
Robles and Stekelenburg
Joel Robles’ form this season should be a huge concern for Koeman. Too many times this season, Robles has been guilty of allowing Everton’s opponents score with consummate ease – none more apparent than Leicester’s two strikes in the Toffees’ 4-2 win on Merseyside. The Spaniard is just not good enough to be playing at Premier League level, while Maarten Stekelenburg’s has endured a difficult season with injury. Bringing Valdes in would allow Koeman to sell the ineffective Robles, replacing him with a player that possesses twice the shot-stopping and distributive abilities.
Winning mentality
Valdes is a winner. During his love affair with Barcelona that lasted 12 years after first making his debut in August 2002 ages just 20 years. Valdes has a glittering trophy cabinet, which includes a World Cup winners’ medal, three Champions League titles and six La Liga triumphs. That winning mentality could be the key to seeing Merseyside giants Everton breaking into the top six of the Premier League, after they missed out in seventh place this time round.