Five destinations for Manchester United bad boy Victor Valdes
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Louis van Gaal is set to offload Spanish stopper Victor Valdes from Coral’s 6/1 Premier League title chances Manchester United after claiming the goalkeeper refused to play for their reserves.
“He doesn’t follow my philosophy. There is no place for someone like that,” said Van Gaal of Valdes. “Last year, he refused to play in the second team and there are other aspects you need as a keeper at United.
“When you are not willing to follow those principles, there is only one way and that is out. It is a big disappointment. It is a pity because we have given him the opportunity to rehabilitate, gave him a contract and then he is fit to play.”
Valdes’ future looks certain to lie away from Old Trafford now, so our football experts look at five destinations he could wind up at.
Antalyaspor
The Turkish Super Lig side were chasing him after securing a return to their country’s top-flight. Antalyaspor have snapped Valdes’ old Barcelona teammate Samuel Eto’o and tried to tempt another in Ronaldinho back to Europe.
PSG
Many commentators perceive the spot between the sticks to be a problem position when it comes to elite level at the Parc des Princes for Laurent Blanc. Salvatore Sirigu is far from the strongest at crosses, and bringing a multiple Champions League winner like Valdes will enhance PSG’s prospects in that European competition, which they are 14/1 to win.
Real Madrid
Crossing the El Clasico divide, albeit with his brief stint in Manchester sandwiched in between, would be controversial to say the least, but Los Blancos are looking for a new number one after letting long-serving Iker Casillas join Porto.
Valdes often beat his rival to the coveted Zamora Trophy when at Barca, yet it was Casillas who got the nod during Spain’s period of international dominance. Real are 5/1 chances to wrestle the Champions League trophy back from the Nou Camp, and 7/4 to do the same with La Liga.
Tottenham
Could a swap deal involving Spurs stopper Hugo Lloris and Valdes be on the cards? If David de Gea makes his much mooted return to Madrid by signing for the Bernabeu club, the France captain and custodian will surely be Man Utd’s number one target.
That leaves Mauricio Pochettino, a 20/1 chance to take Tottenham to the Europa League, missing a keeper at White Hart Lane, and Van Gaal could easily offload Valdes by using him as a makeweight to land Lloris.
Valencia
Los Che are looking to make a major statement upon their Champions League return, and swooping for Valdes would make headline news at the Mestalla. Current Valencia number one Diego Alves is out with a serious knee injury, so securing a replacement is essential.
The Bats have previously had some top goalies, most notably Santiago Canizares and that resulted in both domestic and European success. It’s 50/1 Valencia claim the Champions League crown, and Valdes would be working with an ambitious and hungry young squad.
