Man Utd: £40m De Gea successor ‘one to watch’ as Ten Hag draws up four goalkeeper shortlist
David De Gea is reportedly ‘expected to sign a new deal’ but Man Utd are ‘looking at alternatives’ and Brentford’s David Raya is ‘one to watch’.
De Gea’s future has been in doubt this season as his current contract is due to expire in the summer. United had the option to automatically extend his deal on the same terms but the club’s hierarchy want him to take a pay cut.
The Spaniard has been criticised at times this season and some have suggested that they need to bring in a replacement before next season.
He has consistently insisted that he is happy at Man Utd and recent reports have indicated that he is close to putting pen to paper over a new deal.
Journalist Ben Jacobs is reporting that Man Utd ‘intend to keep’ De Gea and ‘an agreement is not far off’.
But he notes that they are considering ‘alternatives’ and £40m-rated David Raya ‘is one player to watch’.
‘Manchester United’s intention is still to keep de Gea, and the stops he made against Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final show why,’ Jacobs wrote for Caught Offside.
‘De Gea is expected to sign a new deal on reduced wages, with an agreement not far off, but that hasn’t stopped Manchester United looking at alternatives, especially with Dean Henderson, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, also not wanting to return to the club unless he’s crowned No.1.
‘David Raya is one player to watch with Brentford resigned to losing him during the summer. Thomas Frank has said he’s worth at least £40m.’
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Jacobs has revealed that Man Utd are also considering moves for Porto’s Diogo Costa, AC Milan’s Mike Maignan and Everton’s Jordan Pickford.
‘Porto’s Diogo Costa is another name Manchester United (and Chelsea) have been scouting. Mike Maignan is not expected to leave Milan and is healthily contracted even if he doesn’t agree to new terms, but that’s another goalkeeper Erik ten Hag rates,’ Jacobs added.
‘And I still wouldn’t rule out a Premier League club moving for Jordan Pickford, even though he’s signed a new deal until 2027 with no relegation clause in it.
‘There is still an informal agreement if Everton go down that Pickford can leave. Spurs were always a frontrunner, but we’ll have to wait and see now what their new manager thinks.
‘Manchester United are in a healthy position, though. They can kind of have their cake and eat it: extend de Gea – who wants to stay – and explore the market for a new younger keeper at the same time.’
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