Sport
Who could replace David de Gea this summer?
Since joining Manchester United in 2011, David de Gea has arguably been Manchester United’s best player. However, in recent seasons he has become error prone and his mistakes gifted the 2019/20 FA Cup final to Chelsea leading critics to question whether his time is up at Old Trafford. The goalkeeping situation at Manchester United has become a problem. So who could replace David de Gea in goal for United? Here are five contenders.
Who could replace David de Gea?
Jan Oblak – Atletico Madrid
Former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand has gone on record to defend David de Gea. However, Ferdinand has also been quoted as saying that the only player capable of replaceing would be Atletico Madrid stopper, Jan Oblak. Recent Manchester United transfer news has suggested that United are keeping tabs on the Slovenia international.
Oblak is understood to be open to a new challenge and the Premier League could be his next destination. Manchester United are not the only club interested in signing the 27-year old though with Chelsea also keen on the Slovenian. However, Oblak would come at a hefty price rumoured to be over £100m.
Dean Henderson – Sheffield United
Who could replace David de Gea? According to many fans and pundits United need not look outside the club for the answer.
His fantastic performances this season have seen Dean Henderson tipped as the long-term successor to De Gea. The 23-year-old had an excellent season on loan at Sheffield United and is surely ready for a bigger Premier League club. The England youth international is in talks with Manchester United and is prepared to return to Old Trafford if he becomes the Red Devil’s first choice.
There is one problem for Manchester United, though, in De Gea’s wages. The Spain international is the highest earner at United, which could make it difficult for United to offload him if he does not want to take a paycut. Solskjaer has also shown loyalty to the stopper who he claims is still the best in the world. De Gea would surely need to leave the club for Henderson to become the number one goalkeeper at United.
Dominik Livakovic – Dinamo Zagreb
Another option to replace De Gea could be Dinamo Zagreb’s Dominik Livakovic. Livakovic has a different style to De Gea and is known to be very loud and talkative in his own box, perhaps the type of defensive leader United could use if they want to win prizes again.
The latest transfer rumours are suggesting that Manchester United are keeping close tabs on Livakovic and, with a market value of £12m, he would be a far cheaper alternative to Jan Oblak. Capped on nine occasions by the Croatian national team, the 25-year-old was part of the squad who finished runners-up in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Gianlugi Donnarumma – AC Milan
Like Jan Oblak at Atletico Madrid, it would take a lot of money for AC Milan to consider selling their number one goalkeeper. According to Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera, Manchester United have contacted Donnarumma’s agent Mino Raiola about a potential move to Old Trafford, with Milan setting the asking price at around £50m. With the Italian giants in financial difficulty, they might be convinced to sell the Italy international in search of funds.
Donnarumma is still only 21-years-old and could be the number one at wherever he ends up for over a decade. The goalkeeper, capped 16 times for the Italian national team, wants to win prizes and is said to be interested in joining a top-tier club in the Premier League, making him a perfect replacement for David de Gea. Donnarumma only has one year left on his contract and Milan would have to offer him a better deal or sell him this summer if they still want to receive a transfer fee for their star player.
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