Goalkeeper Victor Valdes has agreed a deal to join Manchester United on an 18-month contract, according to the Manchester Evening News.

The 32-year-old goalkeeper was invited by manager Louis van Gaal to train with his squad while the Spaniard rehabilitated from a cruciate knee injury. The former Barcelona man would be available to United on a free transfer after resolving his contract dispute with AS Monaco.

The Ligue Un club decided to break their pre-contract agreement with the keeper after Valdes tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a match against Celta Vigo in March 2014. But after months of negotiations, the player and club reached an agreement in December which made the goalkeeper a free agent.

Louis van Gaal gave Valdes his debut at Barcelona and invited him to train with his current side while rehabilitating his injury.

In recent weeks, the Spanish goalkeeper has undergone stringent medical tests and examinations and has come through them all, giving United the confidence to land the widely-appreciated goalkeeper.

United supporters will be concerned with this news because initial reports linking Valdes to the club specified that the 32-year-old was not interested in being second-choice keeper behind David de Gea.

United’s current number one has been in contract discussions with the club on an extension to his current deal, which expires next summer (June 2016).

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing De Gea and have been preparing a mega-money offer for the player they see as their new first choice goalkeeper.

But United have reportedly told Ben Amos he can leave the club and further speculation is that backup goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard is close to an exit from Old Trafford – it is believed he will be sent to the Norwegian side, Molde.

In all likelihood, Valdes has had a change of heart regarding his initial concerns of being De Gea’s backup and has come to terms with the goalkeeping situation at the club.