Liverpool are plotting a sensational move for Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes in the summer, as Brendan Rodgers looks to replace Pepe Reina, who is expected to leave the club at the end of the season.
Valdes only has a year-and-a-half remaining on his current Barca contract, and talks over a new deal have reportedly stalled, leading to suggestions the Spanish international goalkeeper could be on his way out of the Camp Nou.
Liverpool are heading the list of interested candidates, and the Reds are ready to make a bid for the shot-stopper in the summer, according to the Sunday People.
Manchester City are also reportedly monitoring the situation, although with Joe Hart in their ranks, they hardly require another proven goalkeeper.
The likelihood of Valdes leaving Barcelona is extremely low, with the La Masia graduate at home with the club. Although talks are rumbling on and on over a new contract, it is unlikely Barcelona will be willing to sell their goalkeeper.
Reina's future is still up in the air, despite Rodgers insisting the Spaniard would remain at Anfield. If the Liverpool goalkeeper were to leave the club, with Arsenal reportedly interested, it would be interesting to see how far Liverpool are willing to go to try and bring in a top-quality goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel revealed his trials and tribulations before turning himself into a world-class center-back.
"With time my position on the football pitch changed. I was a forward as a child but in my teens I became a holding midfielder," he told the Liverpool magazine.
"It wasn't until I was 17 that I first played as a defender. I was in a tournament with Slovakia and in the previous game our two regular central defenders got injured and suspended.
"The coach was looking at who could replace them and he came to me. I didn't see it as a problem but only a short-term solution. But I did well, the team won 4-0 against Portugal and I stayed there.
"I carried on playing as a holding midfielder for my club team, though, and after two or three months I asked the manager if I could play center-back because I felt it fitted me better. He agreed.
"I've been a center-back for 10 years now, nearly five of them in England. I've played against many tough opponents.
"Thierry Henry was very difficult. Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney are also tough, as well as Peter Crouch. More recently, Christian Benteke was very good."
