Man Utd: €45m Premier League star ‘chosen’ by Ten Hag to replace player ‘tempted’ by Saudi Arabia
According to reports, Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has picked out his preferred goalkeeper target amid the uncertainty surrounding David De Gea.
The Spanish goalkeeper is out of contract this summer and he is yet to commit his future to the Premier League giants.
They had the option to automatically extend his deal on the same terms until 2024 but they have been pushing him to take a pay cut.
Last week, it was reported that talks between United and De Gea have come to a standstill and it is now possible that he leaves this summer.
Spanish outlet Nacional are reporting ‘United are in the market for a new goalkeeper, with De Gea set to be free in a couple of weeks’.
He has been ‘tempted by several clubs in Saudi Arabia’, who are willing to offer him an ‘irresistible salary’.
Ten Hag ‘wants to solve this problem as soon as possible’ and he has ‘asked the board to ensure the arrival of a first-class replacement’, with Everton’s Jordan Pickford being the ‘option that has gained momentum’ of late.
The England international is said to be ‘very disappointed’ by the situation at Everton and he ‘does not want to continue’ with the Premier League outfit.
Pickford is the ‘main candidate to replace De Gea’ and United are ‘preparing a 45 million euro offer’ to prize him away from their Premier League rivals.
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Ten Hag has ‘chosen’ the Everton man as his preferred target and it is claimed that the Dutchman ‘does not want to know about other options’.
The report also claims Diego Simeone has interest in Pickford as a potential long-term replacement for Jan Oblak if the Spain international leaves, but the Englishman is ‘not interested in leaving’ the Premier League.
Man Utd coach Benni McCarthy recently suggested that it “would be a crime” if they let De Gea leave this summer.
“He kept 17 clean sheets in the league. Yes, of course, you’re going to concede, but to win the Golden Glove for yet another season is remarkable,” McCarthy told 947 Joburg.
“You see how difficult the league is so I understand that everyone has a bad game here and there, but it doesn’t stop him from being one of the best goalkeepers I’ve seen and I’ve worked with. He is unbelievable.
“I work with him every single day and I get to see first-hand more than what most people get to do. You only see him on a Saturday or on a matchday, and if you see him make a mistake the critics hit the roof.
“But I get to spend every single day with him and he is an unbelievable guy, a great lad, very intelligent and one of the best goalkeepers I have seen. It would be a crime if Man United lose a goalkeeper like David de Gea.”
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