Victor Valdes has been backed to succeed David De Gea as Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper if his compatriot leaves Old Trafford this summer.
De Gea, whose contract expires in 2016, has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, and United boss Louis van Gaal has said he cannot persuade the former Atletico keeper to reject a return to his home city.
Van Gaal has indicated that he already knows who would replace the 24-year-old should he leave, suggesting a new keeper will be brought in, but Catalan newspaper Sport suggests that the Dutchman, who worked with Valdes during his time as Barcelona boss, would be willing to make the 33-year-old his new No. 1.
Former United goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw has told the BBC that Valdes is an ideal replacement for De Gea.
"With what he knows about football and the way he is playing, he is perfect for United," Van der Gouw said. "He can play for another three or four years in a top team."
Edwin van der Sar played on at United until he was 40, retiring in 2011 after helping the club to four Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League, and Van der Gouw said: "Van der Sar played and did a great job."
Valdes, who made his debut as a substitute in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Arsenal, has said he does not know what will happen next season.
"I am very happy to be here," Valdes said. "I have one more year on my contract here. Let's see what happens."
AS journalist Guillem Balague reports that De Gea has not yet made a decision on his future and has no verbal agreement with Real Madrid, despite the Spanish side's interest in signing him.
Balague added in the Madrid-based newspaper that De Gea wants to resolve his future one way or another this summer rather than running his Old Trafford contract down, and that a decision is expected in the near future.