According to the reputed Italian media outlet Tutto Mercato Web, Liverpool are closing in to sign former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes. The 32 year old is without a club after his contract expired with Barcelona, and Liverpool are looking to sign him on a free transfer. If METRO are to be believed, then the Reds are about to sign Valdes in the coming two weeks. The reports cites that Valdes will undergo a medical with the Anfield outfit during the international break before being confirmed as a new Liverpool player afterwards
However, Daily EXPRESS who love quite a banter, have come up with an interesting story that the Reds could eye Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas should the Valdes deal fall through. They claim that Valdes will be invited to Melwood on just a trial basis and will have to prove his fitness to Brendan Rodgers after suffering a horrific injury last season.
All the reports hint that Liverpool are in the market for a new goalkeeper to challenge current first-choice Simon Mignolet. The belgian was recently criticized by Tony Barret of the Times who claimed that, “Mignolet is a mediocre goalkeeper but that isn’t the biggest problem; the greatest worry is that his team-mates are no longer able to hide their lack of confidence in him.”
Moreover, Mignolet’s poor decision making and inconsistency is leading to his downfall. Casillas, who has fallen out of favour at the Santiago Bernabeu could be a shrewd move, but its fiction over fact. Real’s signing Keylor Navas is set to become Carlo Ancelotti’s undisputed first-choice keeper which could prompt the Reds for a move for Casillas on loan in January if Valdes fails to join.