David de Gea has been at Manchester United for over a decade and has made over 500 appearances, but the long-serving Spaniard is effectively on trial at Old Trafford. De Gea’s contract expires in seven months, and time is running out to find a replacement..
Although there were concerns about his ball-playing abilities when Erik ten Hag took over, ability or specific characteristics may not have played a role. It could simply be a matter of numbers, with De Gea currently earning a staggering £375,000-per-week as part of a contract extension signed in 2019..
Ten Hag may eventually decide the 32-year-old is worth it and keep him, albeit on reduced terms, while Dean Henderson returns from his Nottingham Forest loan. Here are five potential signings for Manchester United if David de Gea leaves next summer..
Diogo Costa (FC Porto): Costa has everything United would want in a goalkeeper, especially one who has served them so well over the years as De Gea. At 23, the Porto man has at least another decade to look forward to in his career and possesses modern skills – with excellent distribution. Signing a new contract is one potential stumbling block, but was this done to simply protect their investment?
Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid): This man requires no introduction. It would be entirely coincidental if United replaced De Gea with another Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, but the Spaniard at the time and Oblak now are at opposite ends of their careers. Atletico have fallen from their recent highs this season, while Oblak has been heavily linked with moves to other European clubs. He would command a hefty fee under contract until 2028.
Jordan Pickford (Everton): Pickford’s Premier League status divides opinion, but when England takes on France tomorrow afternoon, the 28-year-old will earn his 50th international cap.
A worthy accomplishment by anyone’s standards, and the Everton stopper has handled the intense scrutiny that comes with the job admirably. It’d be the same for him at Old Trafford.
Yann Sommer (Borussia Monchengladbach): The most affordable option on this list. Sommer, 33, has previous experience at the highest level and has been linked with a move. However, Ten Hag would be expected to want to make a statement signing in this position if De Gea leaves after 11 seasons, and Sommer would not be in that category, despite the Swiss international’s impressive career..
Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus): A far better player than he was at Arsenal. Szczesny has rebuilt his reputation in Italy with Roma (on loan) and Juventus, while for Poland prior to their World Cup elimination, he put in some impressive performances, including saving a penalty from Lionel Messi. As previously stated, the 32-year-old is familiar with Premier League life, and his six up-and-down seasons with Arsenal would serve him well..
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