Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Tyrone Marshall

Manchester United considering options for goalkeeper transfer ahead of David de Gea talks

Manchester United are set to wait for clarification on David de Gea's future before making a decision on which goalkeeper to pursue this summer, amid interest in Andre Onana and Justin Bijlow.

De Gea's contract came to an end on Friday and he is now a free agent, but United are set to hold more face-to-face talks with the 32-year-old to see if an agreement can be reached. The Spaniard got married at the weekend, but talks are set to recommence soon.

While United are keen on Inter Milan goalkeeper Onana, who played 145 games under Erik ten Hag at Ajax, they will only sign a new 'keeper for what they consider a "reasonable price" as they battle with financial fair play concerns this summer, having set a budget that limits a net spend to around £120million.

Whether De Gea agrees terms to extend his 12-year stay at the club will be decisive when it comes to the profile of goalkeeper United pursue this summer, with a source insisting they have several "tactical options" for this window.

Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN’s Man United app packed with premium features? Click here

ALSO READ: United could use financial fair play loophole to boost transfer budget

Should De Gea's exit be confirmed then United will need to pursue a new first-choice goalkeeper, but if he signs a contract to effectively re-join the club, then attention is likely to shift to a back-up, with a view to competing with De Gea. There was interest in 20-year-old Bart Verbruggen to fulfill such a role before he joined Brighton from Anderlecht this week for £16.3million.

As well as holding talks with De Gea, United officials are also speaking to Dean Henderson over his own future. The academy graduate returned to Carrington this week but is wanted on a permanent deal by Nottingham Forest.

Henderson wants to play first-team football and United will hold talks with him over his plans and whether he wants to stay or leave, although a sale is unlikely before there is a clear plan for the season.

The 26-year-old is still recovering from a thigh injury that has kept him out since January and won't feature in United's first pre-season friendly of the summer against Leeds in Oslo next Wednesday. He also faces a race to be fit for the club's pre-season tour of the United States, which begins on July 20.

That means Tom Heaton, 37, is the only senior goalkeeper currently fit at Old Trafford and is set to start in Oslo. At the start of pre-season training he will be supported by Matej Kovar, Nathan Bishop and Radek Vitek to make sure the goalkeeping group has enough numbers to operate. Kovar and Bishop are both 23, while Vitek is 19. None of the trio have made their debuts for the club so far.

While there is uncertainty around the situation, United consider it "manageable" at the moment and are confident that when "one or two pieces fall into place" it will quickly become clear.

That is likely to start with a final decision over the future of De Gea, who ended last season poorly and hasn't looked like a natural fit for Ten Hag's style of play.

Follow the MEN's United coverage on TikTok and YouTube, and subscribe to the Manchester is Red podcast

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.