Sport

January transfers: Man United close in on former Barcelona keeper Valdes

Manchester United look set to complete the signing of Spanish international goalkeeper Victor Valdes on a free transfer as Louis van Gaal continues to improve his squad.

The three-time Champions League winner, who has trained with United while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, is thought to have agreed an 18-month deal at Old Trafford.

The 32-year-old former Barcelona star will become the latest addition to a revamped squad, which saw over £150million invested in it last summer.

Part of Spain’s World Cup winning squad, Valdes will provide back up for the outstanding David De Gea, who has been crucial in the Red Devils’ recent improvement.

The 24-year-old has kept six clean sheets in his last 13 games including a man-of-the-match performance in his side’s 3-0 win over Liverpool.

Van Gaal knows Valdes well, having handed him the first of 535 appearances for an all-conquering Barcelona side which won six La Liga and two Copa del Rey titles in eight years.

The deal keeps Valdes at Old Trafford until summer 2016 meaning at least one of United’s keepers is likely to leave the club in January.

 

 

 

Anders Lindegaard, United’s current number two, has made just 19 league appearances since joining in 2011 and at 30 is unlikely to be content as third choice.

And academy graduate Ben Amos, 24, could also leave the club, ending a 13-year association with Manchester United.

Amos has spent the majority of his senior career on loan, at clubs including Molde, Hull City and Carlisle.

The young keeper was heavily criticised by Van Gaal after letting in Miralem Pjanic’s 60-yard lob against Roma in pre-season.

Despite interest from Real Madrid, who continue to search for Iker Casillas’ long-term replacement, United remain confident that De Gea will sign a new deal.

Main image courtesy of Performance FFT via YouTube, with thanks.

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