Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has made the Argentinian goalkeeper Sergio Romero his fifth signing of the summer.

The 28-year-old was a free agent after leaving Sampdoria at the end of last season. Earlier in his career he played for Racing Club in his homeland before joining Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and then Sampdoria in 2011.

He also played three games for Monaco during a loan spell with the Ligue 1 club during the 2013/14 campaign.

Romero has been signed by United as former Barcelona shot-stopper Víctor Valdes seems certain to leave Old Trafford after he was left out of the club’s pre-season tour of the United States of America.

Van Gaal says Valdes has no future at club after he refused to play for United’s Under-21 side last season. Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper David De Gea continues to be linked with a transfer to Real Madrid this summer.

Romero, who played under van Gaal at AZ, has signed a three-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option for a fourth year to be added.

He was part of the Argentina team that reached the World Cup final last year and also impressed during the recent Copa America, when his side was once again beaten in the final, this time by hosts Chile on penalties.

Romero said: “Louis van Gaal is a fantastic manager and I cannot wait to get started on this new and exciting challenge in my career.”

United are 6.00 to win the Premier League tithe outright in the 2015/16 season and 1.29 to finish in the top four.