Liverpool Transfer News: Brendan Rodgers Rules out Victor Valdes, Iker Casillas

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has ruled out suggestions he could sign either Victor Valdes or Iker Casillas during the January transfer window.

Linked to both Spanish internationals and Kiko Casilla of Espanyol, per The Independent's Jack De Menezes, Rodgers needed just one word to dismiss claims he is looking to the influence of La Liga for a new goalkeeper.

During an interview for AS, football writer Guillem Balague asked Rodgers "is there another Spanish player coming in the next few months, December, January?" His answer, quite simply, was "no."

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Interestingly, when asked where he sees himself in the future, Rodgers said, "I hope one day to work in Spain."

His Liverpool squad currently has plenty of Spanish influence—with Jose Enrique, Alberto Moreno, Javier Manquillo and Suso all involved in the first team squad—but the Northern Irishman's interview with Balague indicates there is little chance of the long-expected Spanish acquisition taking up residency between the Anfield sticks.

Valdes, currently a free agent, could be a smart signing for Rodgers. Simon Mignolet needs world-class competition and snapping up Valdes without a transfer fee would be favourable if he can prove his fitness. Rodgers' aforementioned answer only adds to suggestions the potential deal has disappeared, though.

Gines Carvajal, Valdes' agent, recently said, "Neither Brendan Rodgers nor Liverpool have ever made us this proposal, at any time," per CADENA Cope and via Sky Sports. It would be preferable to sign him before January if this was to happen, as many other clubs may be tempted once the market opens (despite Valdes being able to move at any time due to his free agency).

The winter market allows managers to take stock of their situation and adjust accordingly. Carlo Ancelotti may be doing exactly this with Casillas at Real Madrid, whose poor form has seen him jeered by the Bernabeu crowd.

Despite being an excellent servant to Spanish football, Casillas' lack of confidence and rapport with fans continues to harm his game. This has been evident numerous times throughout the season; most prominently during Spain's Euro 2016 qualifying defeat to Slovakia. He needs a change, to start afresh. Even so, a potential bid from Rodgers, reported by Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star, now seems unlikely.

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Espanyol stopper Casilla is the lesser known of all three goalkeepers linked to Liverpool, but he is the most outspoken on the matter of joining the Merseyside club. "I've not had a call from anyone at Liverpool yet," said the 28-year-old, reported by AS and via the Metro. "When the bids happen, if it happens, we will value it and decide what happens."

It now seems a case of "if," not "when" that bid happens. Rodgers certainly won't want to break the bank for an individual who would likely play back-up to Mignolet.

The Belgian stopper has proven unreliable, sure, but he is capable of improving and will only have his confidence quashed if he was to be dropped permanently. Valdes or Casillas would likely knock him out of the team, while Casilla would have more work to do in order to impress. Any new signing in this area will act as a loud warning to Mignolet, however.

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Liverpool have underwhelmed as a team this season, as highlighted during the narrow 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers. It's likely that Mignolet's form will pick up alongside that of his defence, meaning the need for a new goalkeeper could subside heading into January. Rodgers has fibbed before—saying he "categorically" wouldn't sign Mario Balotelli—so Liverpool fans shouldn't give up hope of a new signing a new goalkeeper just yet.