David de Gea has been at Manchester United for over a decade and clocked up more than 500 appearances but, somehow, the long-serving Spaniard effectively finds himself on trial at Old Trafford. De Gea only has seven months to run on his contract and the clock is ticking to settle on his replacement.
Although there were question marks about his ball-playing skills when Erik ten Hag took over, ability or particular attributes might not come into the equation. It could, perhaps, be simply down to number crunching, with De Gea currently earning a staggering £375,000-per-week as part of a contract extension he signed back in 2019.
Ten Hag might, ultimately, decide the 32-year-old is worth it and keep him, albeit on reduced terms, while there is also Dean Henderson to factor in when he returns from his Nottingham Forest loan. Here are five potential signings we have picked out for United should De Gea move on next summer.
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Diogo Costa (FC Porto): Costa has everything United would demand in a goalkeeper and especially one who has served them with such distinction as De Gea over the years. Already first-choice for Portugal, at 23, the Porto man has at least another decade to look forward to in his career and boasts modern skills - with excellent distribution. Signing a new contract is one possible hurdle, but was that to merely protect their investment?
Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid): A man who needs no introduction. It would be purely coincidental if United replaced De Gea with another Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, but the Spaniard then and Oblak now are at contrasting ends in their respective careers. Atletico have dropped off this season from recent highs, while Oblak has been extensively linked with moves to other European clubs. Under contract until 2028, he would command a mighty fee.
Jordan Pickford (Everton): Pickford divides opinion with his status in the Premier League but, when England get down to business against France tomorrow afternoon, the 28-year-old will win his 50th international cap. A worthy achievement by anyone's standards and the Everton stopper has dealt impressively with heavy scrutiny that comes his way in that particular role. It would be similar for him at Old Trafford.
Yann Sommer (Borussia Monchengladbach): Very much the cheap option in this list. Sommer, 33, is experienced at the top-level and has tentatively been linked with a move. However, you would expect Ten Hag to want to make a statement signing in this position - should De Gea head elsewhere after 11 seasons - and Sommer would not be in that bracket, as such, despite the Swiss international having enjoyed an impressive enough career.
Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus): A much-improved player from his Arsenal days. Szczesny has rebuilt his reputation in Italy with Roma (loan) and Juventus, while he put in some impressive performances for Poland before their World Cup elimination - saving a penalty from Lionel Messi non other. As mentioned, the 32-year-old understands what life is like in the Premier League and six up-and-down seasons with the Gunners would stand him in good stead.
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