Victor Valdes rejects Valencia to covet Manchester United keeper role amid expected de Gea exit
Victor Valdes has rejected a tempting offer to join Valencia because he hopes to become the Manchester United number one next season amid David de Gea's expected move to Real Madrid, according to Spanish newspaper AS.
The former Barcelona goalkeeper moved to Old Trafford last January as a free-agent after Louis van Gaal previously handed him the chance to complete his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury at the club training ground.
Even though the Spanish international garnered a reputation as one of the best keepers in the world during his time at the Camp Nou, he accepted to sign an 18-month contract with the Premier League giants to back-up to De Gea.
The 33-year-old star indeed only made two Premier League appearances in the last games of the season following De Gea's injury, while he was forced to play a number of games with the Under 21 side.
It looks Valdes hopes to be rewarded next season with the number one role at United once De Gea leaves the club, as Spanish newspaper AS claim that's why he recently rejected a tempting offer to join Valencia.
AS claim that Valdes was "tempted" to make the move back to La Liga but "the likely departure of first keeper David de Gea, bound for Real Madrid, led to the Catalan player putting a stop to the talks."
Late last season Louis van Gaal revealed that United had drawn up a list of potential replacements in case David de Gea leaves the club for Real Madrid.
"When we have a very good scouting commission, then we shall already know who shall be the next goalkeeper. We also have a list of goalkeepers who can replace him because we have to be organised always. Not only for that position but for every position," van Gaal said in May, as quoted by Sky Sports.
A number of keepers have since been linked with a move to Old Trafford but it looks like whoever comes to replace de Gea will have to fight with Valdes for the number one role.
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