Arsenal and Manchester United Battle for Victor Valdes' Signature

Arsenal and Manchester United are set to go head-to-head over the signing of free agent Victor Valdes, according to the Mirror

The goalkeeper decided to quit the Catalan club, after spending his entire career at Camp Nou. He graduated to the first team in 2002 and spent 12 glorious troph-laden years as the club's number one keeper.

Valdes has won every trophy that can be won at club level with Barcelona. The stopper is now looking for a new challenge and there are no shortage of suitors for the Spanish international.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper is just recovering from a knee injury which he suffered during the latter stages of the previous La Liga campaign. The injury meant he missed playing in the World Cup in Brazil.

Valdes was rumoured to be joining Ligue 1 club AS Monaco. However, it looks like that move has fallen through, as he could not pass the medical. However, Valdes' agent claimed that this transfer will still go ahead.

Arsene Wenger is in the market for a quality goalkeeper who can challenge Arsenal's current number one Wojciech Szczesny, and feels Valdes will be perfectly suited to do that. He has experience at the highest level of football and can guide the young Pole and make him a better keeper.

The Gunners boss it is claimed has invited the Spanish keeper over for talks with a view to a transfer to the Emirates.

However, the north London Club will face stiff competition from rivals United for the signature of the World Cup winning keeper, as Louis van Gaal is keen on bringing Valdes to Old Trafford to push David de Gea, as he feels the young keeper lacks competition for the number one jersey.

The Red Devils could have an advantage in the pursuit of Valdes as he made his debut for Barcelona under Louis van Gaal. The Camp Nou hero wrote an emotional letter when he decided to leave Barcelona and the United manager was one of the first people he thanked.

The Spanish international will be an asset to whichever club he joins, and at 32 years old, he could play at the top level for a number of years.