Liverpool Transfer News: Victor Valdes, Demarai Gray and Latest Reds Rumours

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a surprise swoop for Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes to provide some competition for the Reds' current No. 1 Simon Mignolet.

According to the Sun (via Aaron Flanagan in the Mirror), Valdes was a target for Liverpool in January of 2015 before he eventually moved to Old Trafford, and the Reds are planning to go back in for him.

Valdes has fallen out of favour at United after being accused by manager Louis van Gaal of refusing to turn out for the reserves, per Sky Sports.

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He is currently behind David De Gea and Sergio Romero in the Red Devils' goalkeeping pecking order, and his departure from the club seems inevitable.

The 33-year-old would be a fantastic addition to Brendan Rodgers' squad at Liverpool as he has huge experience from over a decade of enormous success at Barcelona.

Valdes could provide proper competition for Mignolet—or maybe even replace him as No. 1—who has been below par so far this season.

However, despite Valdes having effectively been ousted from the United squad, it is likely the Red Devils will do everything possible to prevent him from moving to Anfield.

Movement between the two arch-rivals is incredibly rare, and United would be loath to let the Spanish goalkeeper go to Liverpool, where he could potentially be very useful to Rodgers.

Meanwhile, the Anfield outfit could face competition for Birmingham City prospect Demarai Gray, who is set to be the subject of a January bid from West Bromwich Albion. 

Per Laurie Whitwell in the Daily Mail, the 19-year-old winger has caught the eye of West Brom manager Tony Pulis, but Liverpool have the edge if they want to sign him as they can match any bid made by another club.

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Liverpool would do well to take up the option—the agreement came as part of Jordon Ibe's recent loan move to Birmingham—as he is very affordable at around £5 million and a potential successor to Raheem Sterling.

The Mirror's Alex Richards was impressed with the youngster when the Blues played Aston Villa recently in the League Cup:

Having begun the season looking short of ideas in attack, the pace and verve of Gray, along with his terrific finishing ability, could be very useful for Liverpool going forward, while he is also an excellent long-term prospect.

While Liverpool will likely have to be prepared to go up against West Brom, they have the money and reputation to persuade Gray to move to Merseyside.