With reports over the weekend claiming that Victor Valdes’ move to Liverpool is on the verge of collapse having not been suitably dispelled, it looks worryingly, from a Reds’ perspective, that the Spaniard will not be arriving at Anfield after all. It’s understood that Brendan Rodgers’ side wanted to take the 32-year-old on an initial trial due to his long-term knee injury, but the stopper – who has won just about every prize at club and international level – is reluctant to have to ‘justify himself’.
But those who are firmly in the ‘anti-Simon Mignolet camp’ need not fear, as the transfer market is littered with decent keepers ahead of January. We here at FFC Towers have been looking around, and here are FIVE we think Liverpool should consider…
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CLICK ON SIMON MIGNOLET TO SEE WHO COULD REPLACE THE BIG BELGIAN
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Kiko Casilla
Reports from Spain this morning have aligned Liverpool with Espanyol’s impressive glovesman. Casilla has been one of La Liga’s more notable No. 1s over the course of the past season and a bit, cementing a first-team berth at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat. But with his side currently showing little sign of breaking away from the lower end of the Spanish top tier after an underwhelming 2013/14, a move may appeal to the stopper, who at 28, is now firmly in the peak years of his career.
A sound shot stopper and decent when it comes to commanding his backline, and £8m move could be wise.
Petr Cech
With Thibuat Courtois back at Chelsea this season, the Blues possess, arguably, the two best goalkeepers in the Premier League. So it looks likely that something will have to give in January, with the exit of Cech the most viable option. The experienced Czech stopper has been a Stamford Bridge mainstay for around 10 years, and after adapting to life in England he could opt against serious interest from France to stay… opening the door for Liverpool.
Although he may not be too fancy with the ball at his feet, Cech would certainly add the presence and leadership the club lack with Mignolet between the sticks, but the only problem is likely to be convincing Chelsea to sell to a direct rival.
Simone Scuffet
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At the opposite end of the spectrum, Scuffet is an option. The 18-year-old Italian is currently one of the mots highly-rated young goalkeepers in Europe, and despite his age he made an impressive 16 Serie A outings for Udinese last season.
Scuffet is likely to be content with a role on the bench in the short term, and with his talent obvious Mignolet would be well and truly on his toes to keep the teenager from snatching a starting berth.
Sergio Romero
The Argentine had the goalkeeping limelight at the World Cup stolen from him by Guillermo Ochoa and Keylor Navas, but his solid showings at the very base of his nation’s XI were key in their appearance in the final in Brazil. After a season at Monaco, Romero is now back with Italian side Sampdoria, yet he’s made little secret of his desire to move to a big club following rumours of interest from Manchester United.
A good all-round ‘keeper, the 27-year-old is of a similar level to Mignolet, which may be enough to keep the Belgian at the top of his game.
Iker Casillas
The Spaniard may be some way from the all-conquering force he was through the 2000s, but his experience and leadership are tools Liverpool could use. Casillas seems to be on the verge of leaving his boyhood club Real Madrid after slipping away from the first XI in recent years, which has, seemingly, dented his confidence.
Arsenal are also interested, but the lure of guaranteed action at Anfield may sway the La Roja ace.
