Liverpool transfer news: Reds looking at £8m Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla as Victor Valdes move verges on collapse

Valdes is currently a free agent and had been linked with a move to Anfield once he'd recovered from a serious knee injury

Kiko Casilla (Getty Images)

Liverpool are looking into the possibility of signing Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla in the January transfer window as the move for free agent Victor Valdes appeared to collapse.

With questions arising over Simon Mignolet’s form this season, Brendan Rodgers is keen on adding another striker to provide competition for the Belgian goalkeeper. Liverpool allowed Pepe Reina to join Bayern Munich in the summer but failed to bring in anyone to replace the Spaniard, meaning that Brad Jones remains the only other option for Rodgers to call on.

Valdes had been linked with a move to Anfield this month as he was due to recover from a serious knee injury that kept him out of the latter stages of last season as well as the World Cup. However, the former Barcelona stopper isn’t close to a move to the Premier league and reports have instead suggested that Casilla could be on Rodgers’ radar.

Spanish news website Fichajes reports that the Espanyol goalkeeper could cost the Reds around £8m, but Liverpool would face stiff competition for his signature with interest also coming from Real Madrid.

Victor Valdes is currently without a club after leaving Barcelona (GETTY IMAGES)

28-year-old Casilla has been one of the standout goalkeepers in La Liga over the past year and with neither Iker Casillas nor Keylor Navas asserting themselves as the long-term option in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.

Valdes meanwhile is left to seek another club after seeing a move collapse for the second time this season. The Spaniard, who suffered a torn knee ligament last season, was close to joining Monaco earlier this year only to fail a medical, and now it appears he won’t be heading to Liverpool despite the club in need of a goalkeeper who can sign outside of the transfer window.