Manchester United are reportedly tracking the progress of Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon at the World Cup.
The Red Devils could be in the market for a new keeper to provide competition for David de Gea, whose current contract runs out at the end of the season. Although the club have an option to extend the 31-year-old's deal for a further 12 months which will take him to his 13th season at Old Trafford.
United are weighing up whether to give De Gea a new contract but with caveat of the former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper forced to take a major pay cut. De Gea currently earns £375,000 per-week but, according to the Daily Star, United want to slash that by at least £100,000 per week, saving almost £5million annually.
It is understood Ten Hag doesn't see De Gea as his long-term No.1, with the Dutchman already looking at alternative options but he is keen to find the right replacement, rather than rushing to bring someone in quickly. Martin Dubravka joined the club from Newcastle United on loan in the summer, but the Slovakian has barely been used and is there to provide much-needed back-up for De Gea, with Tom Heaton the other senior keeper at the cub.
The World Cup gives managers a great opportunity to look at alternative players and it is being reported that Ten Hag is scouting Spain's Simon, as per Relevo. The 25-year-old is currently Luis Enrique's first-choice stopper, with Brentford's David Raya and Brighton's Robert Sanchez warming the bench, meaning there was no place for De Gea.
Simon has started Spain's opening two Group E matches, keeping a clean sheet in their thumping 7-0 win over Costa Rica, before conceding once in a 1-1 draw with 2014 winners Germany. He had made a number of impressive saves in the Germany game, but was beaten by a ferocious strike from Niclas Fullkrug.
Should Man Utd sign Unai Simon? Let us know in the comments below!
At 6'3, Simon is a commanding 'keeper but has the ball-playing qualities any elite team will need, with Spain adopting a possession-based style that starts from the back. Simon doesn't commit and usually stays patient before closing down a marker or going to claim a cross - a quality De Gea has struggled with in the past.
Even though his contract runs out in 2025, Athletic Bilbao are willing to listen to offers for Simon and could accept a bid in the region of £30million. Athletic know they cannot reject a huge offer and know in the shadows they already have a goalkeeper for the future. Julen Agirrezabala is their Under 21s keeper and has the qualities to move straight up into the first-team set-up.
Meanwhile, Simon isn't the only player United are looking at from the World Cup in that position, with Portugal's Diogo Costa on their radar. The 23-year-old is also Porto's No.1 and has a bright future ahead of him.
