Victor Valdes to Liverpool: Former Barcelona goalkeeper set to undergo tests with Reds ahead of free transfer - reports

Valdes is without a club and recovering from a serious knee injury but could be offered a move to the Premier League with Liverpool

Victor Valdes has played over 500 games for Barcelona (GETTY IMAGES)

Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes is nearing a return to fitness – and a move to Premier League side Liverpool.

The Spanish international is currently a free agent after leaving the Catalans in the summer following the expiration of his contract, where he signed off on a sour note after suffering a torn cruciate ligament earlier this year that also ruled him out of the World Cup.

The 32-year-old underwent a medical with French side Monaco earlier in the summer, but the club decided not to sign Valdes after fears grew over his recovery from the serious knee injury.

But it appears that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers remains keen on signing the goalkeeper on a free transfer once he is nearing a full recovery, and the belief is a deal could be done at some point this month – the transfer deadline does not apply given that Valdes is a free agent.

Rodgers wants to bring in competition for current Number One Simon Mignolet after selling the long-serving Pepe Reina to Bayern Munich this summer. With Brad Jones the only other option with Premier League experience, moving for someone with the calibre of Valdes for no fee would appear to be a no-brainer – and could prove to be a very shrewd signing should he return to the form he produced at the Nou Camp.

He is due to undergo tests with the Reds once his knee has strengthened, and while other clubs could still attempt to beat Liverpool to his signing, the Merseysiders are said to be confident of getting their man in what would be a tenth new signing since the end of last season.

Previous transfer targets for the Reds included Michel Vorm and Alex McCarthy, but they chose not to pursue either player as Vorm completed a move to Tottenham while McCarthy joined Queens Park Rangers towards the end of the transfer window.

Valdes suffered the injury in what turned out to be his final appearance for Barcelona (GETTY IMAGES)

Mignolet appeared nervy at times last season, and while there is no questioning his ability between the sticks, it appears Rodgers wants to keep the pressure on the Belgian and give him a challenge to hold onto his shirt in the hope he produces his very best for the club.