Roland Cutinho
Manchester United open to signing a new goalkeeper to cover for David de Gea amid contract uncertainties
According to the Mirror, Manchester United are prioritising signing a new first-choice goalkeeper over David de Gea, as they are yet to convince the Spaniard to sign a new contract this summer.
De Gea, who joined the club in 2011 as a replacement for Edwin Van der Sar, reached the pinnacle of his career in 2018 but has experienced a decline in form since the 2018 World Cup. He has made 545 appearances for the club and has saved the team’s blushes on numerous occasions.
However, his performances in the last few years have hit a stumbling block, and criticism has flown in for the shot-stopper. His weaker distribution skills have been a major talking point.
The Spaniard’s contract is set to expire this month, which signifies that he could be a free agent very soon. Hence, he is expected to depart from Old Trafford if both parties fail to agree to a new contract.
Although discussions are ongoing between the Red Devils and De Gea regarding a contract extension, a recent article from the Athletic suggests that reaching an agreement has proven challenging.
United chose not to exercise the one-year contract extension option for the 32-year-old, which expired in May. Instead, they aim to negotiate a longer-term contract with reduced wages for the Spanish goalkeeper.
Despite his desire to stay at Old Trafford, De Gea’s contractual situation appears challenging, as he is currently unwilling to accept a lower salary of £375,000 per week. The club would expect him to sign a fresh contract worth around £250,000 per week, featuring a lower guaranteed wage.
As per the Telegraph, United are willing to compensate for the reduced base salary by offering additional payments in the form of performance-based add-ons. These bonuses would be dependent on the keeper starting in at least half of the team’s matches each season.
According to the Daily Mail, the Spaniard has already reached an agreement to extend his contract with Man United for one year and has verbally committed to staying at the club. The signing of the contract has been delayed due to his holiday.
However, the club recently released a player retained list for the upcoming season, and De Gea’s name was notably absent, leaving fans confused. This suggests that negotiations and discussions regarding the veteran keeper’s future at the club are still ongoing.
The veteran shot-stopper faced significant criticism throughout the 2022-23 season, despite being awarded the Golden Glove for Man United. Former United midfielder Roy Keane strongly criticised the Spanish goalkeeper for his display in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, where the team conceded a goal right from the kick-off.
Even if the contract talks are ongoing, the club could be preparing for the possibility of his departure. As a result, they would be considering potential alternatives.
Man United keeping an eye on potential replacements this summer
According to the Athletic, United has been linked with Porto’s Diogo Costa and Inter Milan’s Andre Onana as possible goalkeeper options in the current transfer window.
Onana, who played a crucial role in Inter Milan’s journey to the Champions League final, has previous experience working under Ten Hag at Ajax. His exceptional ball-playing abilities align with the manager’s desired style of play.
The potential reunion with his former coach at Old Trafford could be enticing for the African keeper, especially if he is assured of the starting spot.
Onana has showcased his skills with impressive passing accuracy and distribution, completing 79% of his passes and averaging 6.1 long balls per game this season. He is known for his commanding presence when claiming high balls and is comfortable operating as a sweeper-keeper.
The Champions League finalist is willing to consider selling their goalkeeper for a suitable offer. According to Corriere dello Sport, a transfer fee in the range of €40-50 million could convince them to part ways with the shot-stopper.
Another notable option is Porto’s Costa. Currently playing in his home country, the 23-year-old has displayed impressive performances in recent seasons, contributing to his team’s success in winning two league titles and several cup competitions.
As per the Daily Mail, Costa is regarded as the most enticing option among the goalkeepers on United’s shortlist. However, a small obstacle may arise due to his £60 million price tag.
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Other notable names linked with a move to Old Trafford are Everton’s Jordan Pickford, Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Lille’s Lucas Chevalier. Amid the ongoing goalkeeper chaos at Old Trafford, it would be interesting to see whether De Gea decides to take a wage cut and sign a new contract or the club shifts its focus to a new top keeper.
