Manchester United are close to signing Sergio Romero, the Argentina goalkeeper, as a replacement for Víctor Valdés, who is expected to leave Old Trafford after a fallout with Louis van Gaal.

With David De Gea likely to stay at United for another year before joining Real Madrid as a free agent next summer, Van Gaal wants to bring in quality cover for the Spaniard, with Valdés bound for the exit after refusing to play in a reserve-team match last season.

United — who fly to San Francisco today for the second leg of their pre-season tour to the United States — are in advanced talks to sign Romero, who is a free agent after leaving Sampdoria at the end of last season. Romero, 28, previously