Man Utd ‘make FINAL De Gea decision’ as contract talks drag on with new goalkeeper transfer linked
DAVID DE GEA will not be Manchester United’s number one next season, according to reports.
The Manchester Evening News report that the club’s hierarchy have met to decide that United will sign a new goalkeeper this summer.
De Gea has been the club’s number one since Sir Alex Ferguson signed the Spaniard in 2011.
But his mistakes have grown in frequency in recent years, with the shot-stopper making a number of high profile errors this season.
De Gea is United’s top earner on £375,000-per-week.
His contract runs out at the end of the month and it is unlikely that the club will renew unless the keeper agrees to a pay cut.
He will also likely have to play second-fiddle to any incoming goalkeeper.
United are understood to be targeting a goalkeeper that is good with his feet as Erik Ten Hag looks to implement his philosophy of building from the back.
Inter Milan‘s Andre Onana, 27, and Porto‘s Diogo Costa, 23 have been earmarked as potential successors for De Gea.
Inter Milan are demanding up to £60million for Onana this summer according to The Athletic.
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Porto’s Costa meanwhile has a £65m release clause.
United are reluctant to allocate significant funds to the goalkeeper position as they prioritise central midfield and striker targets.
The club have scouted Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen as a cheaper alternative to Onana and Costa.
Verbruggen has also attracted interest from Brighton and Burnley.
If De Gea does extend his contract at United it is understood that Nottingham Forest will make a bid worth £30m to secure Dean Henderson.
Henderson, 26, spent last season on loan at the City Ground, making 21 appearances before having his season cut short by injury.
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