Newcastle seem ready to end Man United keeper’s exile
Published:
With Tim Krul crocked for the remainder of the season, Newcastle are reportedly open to the idea of rescuing a big-name stopper from the wilderness in January as cover for their number one.
Having opted to join Manchester United in the summer when plenty of other clubs were interested in his signature, Victor Valdes is probably regretting that decision in hindsight.
The 33-year-old has fallen out of recognition under Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford, however, Valdes’ current predicament looks set to play into Newcastle hands.
Up to now with Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham sniffing, LVG has so far insisted Valdes’ contract won’t be terminated simply for a Premier League rival to benefit from attaining his services.
This is despite Van Gaal omitting the Spaniard from United’s Champions League squad.
Given the horrendous start to the campaign under new manager Steve McClaren, the Magpies can hardly be considered a direct rival to the Red Devils, priced as they are at 6/5 for the drop after eight games.
The Iron Tulip may well relax his stance in the circumstances. For Valdes, remaining in England and getting the taste of Premier League football he signed up for, is sure to be a tempting prospect also.
Land a player with such a vast personal trophy haul would be a welcome tonic for McClaren, should the former England manager survives the immediate threat of the sack.
There aren’t many six-time La Liga and three-time Champions League winners currently inhabiting the St James’ Park dressing room to turn to for inspiration.
In the meantime McClaren will have to decide between understudies Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow, the latter being a £3m signing from Nottingham Forest in 2014, to see who gets the gloves vacated by the unfortunate Krul.
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