Reported Valdes Signing Fits Man Utd Transfer Policy for Champions League Plans

Forget, for a minute, that Victor Valdes is still recovering from a serious knee injury. And ignore for a moment that his imminent signing raises question marks about David De Gea's long-term future.

The former Barcelona goalkeeper is still a very good goalkeeper. And Manchester United are in the business of signing good players.

Louis van Gaal is building a squad to win the Champions League. That's why Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao are at Old Trafford.

Valdes—who the Manchester Evening News reported is close to agreeing to an 18-month deal at United—fits into that plan. Elite teams have two world-class players in every position. With De Gea and Valdes, Van Gaal would have two of the best goalkeepers in the world competing to be No. 1.

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It does, however, raise questions about whether De Gea will sign a new contract at the club. His performances this season have brought with them added attention. His profile in Spain has increased as he gets closer to usurping Iker Casillas as the national team's first choice.

Van Gaal rarely holds a press conference these days without De Gea's new contract coming up. The 24-year-old's current deal expires in 2016. This time next year, he'll be able to negotiate with foreign clubs. In 18 months, he can leave for nothing.

United fans are desperate for De Gea to sign a new contract. But it's difficult to see why Valdes would agree to join United just to sit on the bench. He's still only 32 years old and could get regular first-team football almost anywhere else in the world.

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Liverpool could do with a new goalkeeper. Arsenal need one, too. Instead, he's chosen United, who've already got one of the best.

Valdes' arrival certainly raises doubts about De Gea's future. But it doesn't necessarily mean he's destined to leave. Van Gaal will argue he's simply creating competition for places. He's done it up front, adding Di Maria and Falcao to a squad that already included Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj.

With Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos, De Gea isn't being pushed. If he made a mistake against Southampton on Sunday, however bad, he'd still expect to play the following week. With Valdes fit and available, that wouldn't be the case.

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Van Gaal has big ambitions at United. His target this season might be to finish in the top four. But, with a CV like his, he'll be hoping to leave Old Trafford with a Champions League winners' medal in his pocket. A Premier League title at the very least.

Valdes, like Di Maria or Falcao, is just a small piece in the squad he needs to build to help him do it. His imminent signing raises questions. But it shouldn't take away from the fact that he's a very good goalkeeper.