Top 5 Options For Ex-Man Utd Goalkeeper, David De Gea

The Spaniard, David De Gea may have left United on bad terms but he still has the ability to make logic-defying saves and will be in demand.

David de Gea is looking for a new team for the first time in 12 years. With 545 games played and a club record 190 clean sheets, the Spaniard, who joined Manchester United as a bashful, inexperienced 20-year-old, exits as the team’s longest-serving goalkeeper.

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He frequently saved United through a trying time after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure and was named their player of the year four times, tying Cristiano Ronaldo for the most ever.

However, there was a feeling that he was holding the squad back in his final season because of his limitations with the ball in his hands, which prevented the team from playing as Erik ten Hag had envisioned.

At pivotal times during the season, like as the FA Cup final, he also committed a number of high-profile mistakes using both his feet and hands. Because of that, the club ultimately withdrew the previously agreed-upon offer of a new contract for him, ending his long and illustrious career with United.

But when one lengthy chapter ends, a new one starts. De Gea is still 32 years old and has had a reasonably injury-free career, so he still has at least four more years, if not more, of elite performance in him.

Despite increased criticism of his ball-playing skills, he is still a superb shot-stopper who can pull off seemingly impossible saves. And many clubs still place the highest priority on that quality when hiring goalkeepers.

THEEAGLE evaluates potential destinations for De Gea’s next football adventure…

Al-Nassr

Saudi Arabia should be De Gea’s first choice if he hopes to make even a fraction of the £375,000 per week that he did at United.

Since the Gulf nation made the decision to invest heavily in football at the beginning of the year, Al-Nassr have made the most eye-catching purchases, bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo in January and Marcelo Brozovic from Inter in July.

De Gea’s most lucrative offer would likely be £250,000 a week from the club, who are supposedly prepared to tempt him. It all depends on whether he still values earning a high wage over playing competitive football and still wants to compete at the highest level in Europe.

Major League Soccer

Major League Soccer is the obvious choice if De Gea is prepared to leave Europe but not the extreme lifestyle shift in Saudi Arabia. De Gea would undoubtedly fit into the seasoned, all-star lineup that Gerardo Martino is assembling, which has already included Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets.

Aside from Miami, any MLS team trying to improve standards on the pitch and their profile off it would find the former United ‘keeper appealing.

Atletico Madrid

For De Gea, a trip back to his old team Atletico would be the most romantic. Before moving to Manchester United in 2011, he had just two seasons with the first team. Since then, Diego Simeone, who took over after the custodian left for Manchester, has transformed the team into one of the best in Europe.

De Gea might be better able to adapt to Atletico’s style of play than the other top teams in La Liga since Simeone, unlike many other coaches in Europe, does not insist that his goalkeepers are skilled with their feet.

But the biggest obstacle to him moving to the Metropolitano is Jan Oblak, who is the club’s undisputed No.1 and who only last year signed a new contract until 2028.

Bayern Munich

One of the few teams in the top five leagues in Europe who might afford De Gea’s salary demands is Bayern, but their goalkeeping situation is far from certain at the moment. After injuring his leg while skiing in January, Manuel Neuer had resumed exercising, but it is said that his recovery has hit a roadblock.

In Neuer’s absence, Yann Sommer has served as a trustworthy replacement, but he wants to play more frequently. De Gea would be a world-class backup for Neuer and might even challenge the Germany custodian, who turned 37 in March, if the Swiss international were to leave.

Paris Saint-Germain

Another team that might be able to accommodate De Gea’s pay demands is PSG, who would be a fantastic fit for him if he wants to stay in Europe and compete in the Champions League.

It would be difficult for the Spaniard to immediately challenge Gianluigi Donnarumma as No.1 after the Italian saw off Keylor Navas.

However, the Paris giants have always liked to have healthy competition among their goalkeepers and, should Navas leave, with it also unclear if Sergio Rico will be able to continue his career, PSG may need a new back-up.