25 – Clean sheet and 50-Saves, Ten Hag announces potentials David de Gea replacement after been present with three options
Man Utd scouting Diogo Costa and Unai Simon as they consider long-term replacement for David de Gea
Manchester United is keeping an eye on Porto’s Diogo Costa and Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon.
United has the option to extend that by another year, but Erik ten Hag stated earlier this month in a news conference that the club would not rush into a decision on the Spaniard’s future.
De Gea has adapted well to Erik ten Hag’s demands this season, despite not being a natural fit for the Dutchman’s long-term intentions.
However, with the Spaniard among United’s highest-paid players, extending his contract for another year is expected to cost around £20 million.
According to The Athletic, one possibility United is exploring is negotiating a shorter extension of de Gea’s contract.
Long-term possibilities are also being examined, with United’s head goalkeeping scout Tony Coton scheduled to travel across Europe in the coming months to assess prospects for the club.
With Costa and Simon already on United’s list, the club is looking for a player who can play for them “over the next decade.”
Costa, a Portugal international, has been a standout for Porto this season, saving two penalties in the Champions League to help his team advance to the next round.
More crucially, the 23-year-old is skilled with the ball at his feet, and last month it was reported that he would cost roughly £30 million.
Meanwhile, Simon, 25, has taken over as Athletic’s long-term replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has moved to Chelsea. He is projected to be Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper at this winter’s World Cup in Qatar, under Luis Enrique.
United, like most of their players, has the option to extend de Gea’s contract by another year. De Gea remains the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, with Dean Henderson sent out to Nottingham Forest in the offseason.
While ten Hag is pleased with the 31-year-efforts, old’s he has recently refused to comment on his long-term future with the club.
We didn’t make a choice on him, but I can say that I’m very delighted with David De Gea as a goalie,’ ten Hag said earlier this month.
‘The first two games of the season were not his best, but after that, you can see he provides us a lot for the defense, the defensive department, he gives consistency, and I like him as a person.’
‘I can work well with him, but first, we’ll go to the winter, and then we’ll talk about how we handle things.’
