Victor Valdes to Liverpool: Former Barcelona goalkeeper linked with free transfer

Out of contract Spaniard is available on a free

Victor Valdes has played over 500 games for Barcelona (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool are likely to sign the former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes next month, if their initial talks come to fruition.

Valdes is a free agent after his release from Barcelona this summer and thus can join outside the transfer window.

His arrival depends on how he recovers from a cruciate ligament injury he suffered in March. But if all goes well with that, he will become a part of the Liverpool squad next month, providing cover for Rodgers’ first choice in goal, Simon Mignolet. Australian Brad Jones is not currently pushing the Belgian.

Valdes had been seen as a reinforcement for French side Monaco until he sustained his injury. He may not be ready to play until December but Liverpool anticipate knowing enough about his recovery to be able to conclude a deal next month.

Liverpool’s need of a back-up goalkeeper led them to make a late move for Reading’s Alex McCarthy, though the young England player instead joined Queen’s Park Rangers for £6m.

Liverpool’s outgoings were led yesterday by Uruguayan centre-half Sebastian Coates, whose season-long loan deal to Sunderland had been in the offing for some time.

The 23-year-old joined Liverpool from Nacional in 2011. He made 24 appearances before returning to the Uruguayan club on loan last season.

Napoli did not take midfielder Lucas Leiva on loan as they had planned – dashing the Brazilian’s hopes of being reunited with former manager Rafael Benitez. Lucas is desperate for more regular first-team football.

Oussama Assaidi was hoping to secure a permanent move to Stoke City after arriving at Mark Hughes’ club for a medical according to sources last night.