Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been tipped to make a possible return to the Premier League as a No1, 5 months after being let go by the Red Devils.
De Gea’s 12-year stint with Manchester United came to an end this July, with the club opting not to renew his contract, instead bringing in controversial shot-stopper Andre Onana.
The Spaniard hasn’t played any professional football since then, but has still been in training and has recently been tipped to make a potential return to the Premier League as the No1 for a Top 10 club.
De Gea played over 400 Premier League matches during his time with United, earning the club’s Player of the Season award 4 times, alongside winning 3 FA Cups, 2FA community Shields, 2 Europa Leagues, 2 EFL Cups, and a Premier League title.
Alongside a plethora of personal accolades, he also boasts 2 Premier League Golden Glove awards.
So, you’re probably wondering which mystery club are tipped to be bringing De Gea back to the English top flight…
According to reports from the Daily Mail, the Spanish goalkeeper is a “realistic” option for Newcastle United to sign in the January transfer window, with their No1 Nick Pope picking up a long term injury against Manchester United on Saturday.
Pope stayed down after diving to stop a shot from United wingback Reguilòn – eventually being gingerly escorted off the pitch to be replaced by Martin Dubravka, who saw out the game for the Toon with a clean sheet in their 1-0 win.
Pope is expected to be out for up to 5 months, having dislocated his shoulder during the incident, leaving Newcastle United with Martin Dubravka, Loris Karius, and Mark Gillespie left for Eddie Howe’s selection.
Despite this backup of shot stoppers, it is thought that Pope’s long term injury may lead Howe to act in the upcoming transfer window, with De Gea being tipped as an ideal target due to his free agent status and obvious pedigree as a Premier League No1.
It is reported that Newcastle are unwilling to match his £375,000 a week Manchester United salary (if they do make a move for him), although the Saudi-backed club will more than likely be willing to offer him a handsome pay to bring him into their squad.
Only time will tell whether or not the suspicions that Howe may make a move for the former Red Devil remains to be seen, with Dubravka expected to don the No1 shirt for their foreseeable matches.
The news of Newcastle’s potential interest in De Gea comes off the back of another speculation that his former club may also be interested in hiring his services once again.
Manchester United have also been rumoured to potentially approach De Gea ahead of the African Cup of Nations, where their current No1 Andre Onana its expected to depart to keep Cameroon’s goal and miss several games for United.
The rumour suggests that De Gea may be called upon again at United to fill in for Onana during his time at the African Cup of Nations, with the club being left with Altay Bayindir, Radek Vitek, and Tom Heaton for their goalkeeping options.
Considering Onana’s on/off performances for United in recent matches, there may also be an opportunity to re-establish himself in the squad should he choose to make his way back to Old Trafford once more.
With the January transfer window just around the corner, the former shunned goalkeeper may find himself back in demand very soon! We will report more as De Gea’s situation advances.
