:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42546106/185954888.0.jpg)
For the past two months, Victor Valdes signing for Liverpool had seemed only been a matter of time. Until today, when the Spanish goalkeeper agreed in principle to a deal with Manchester United. He will join his new club and continue his recovery from a knee injury that has sidelined him for most of the year.
"Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has offered Victor Valdes a chance to complete his rehabilitation from a knee injury and to work his way back to fitness with the club," began a statement from United. "Valdes will have his recovery supervised by the United medical staff before training with the first team as he bids to regain full fitness."
Over the past week, doubts had begun to creep into the Valdes to Liverpool narrative, and ahead of Wednesday's match against Real Madrid, Brendan Rodgers said the club would not be signing any Spanish players in the coming months. Rather than being a deflection of attempt to obfuscate, it turns out Rodgers only telling the simple truth.
It has since been suggested that Liverpool were demanding a chance to examine Valdes before committing to wages or the length of any proposed contract while Valdes' agent wanted terms agreed ahead of time—though even had they been, Liverpool would have had the chance to examine the goalkeeper before finalising any deal.
With Valdes now heading to united, it is not clear if the club will actively look for a goalkeeper in January or stick with Simon Mignolet and Brad Jones for the remainder of the season.
