David De Gea’s long-rumoured transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid looks likely to become reality this summer.
READ MORE:
Read the latest Manchester United transfer gossip!
Goodbye Manchester United? David de Gea waves to each corner of Old Trafford as Real Madrid transfer looms
The Spanish goalkeeper took a moment to applaud all four corners of Old Trafford ahead of the Red Devils’ Premier League draw with Arsenal on Sunday—a gesture that some have taken to be a farewell to the United fans.
The stopper has long been linked with a move back to Spain, with Real believed to be particularly interested in his services.
After the match, via the Metro, Louis van Gaal admitted that there was ‘the chance’ that De Gea would leave for the Bernabeu this summer—the biggest indication yet that United are open to a transfer.
Should he depart, van Gaal will have a headache as he looks to replace one of his key players.
In this feature, we present six goalkeepers who could step into the breach left by De Gea at Old Trafford.
Comment below and let us know which of this sextuplet you’d like to see at Old Trafford, or if there’s anyone else you’d like to see replace De Gea at United.
Hugo Lloris
Hugo Lloris has been linked to Manchester United for almost as long as De Gea has been in line for a move to the Bernabeu.
The Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper is proven in the Premier League and may well be keen to leave Spurs following their inability to secure Champions League qualification.
However, would the Lilywhites be willing to part ways with one of their few genuinely outstanding players?
Victor Valdes
Some may say that De Gea’s departure wouldn’t pose any problems at all for United.
Indeed, it was perhaps an eventuality that the club have been prepared for since January, when they signed free agent Victor Valdes.
Valdes—who has won the World Cup, three Champions League titles and six La Liga titles—is one of the best backup stoppers in world football, but, at 33, would he be a long-term solution?
Petr Cech
There aren’t many reserve keepers in world football than Victor Valdes, but one is probably Petr Cech, who is a year younger than the Spaniard and, crucially, has Premier League experience—oodles of it.
Not content to be backup to Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea, the Blues legend has been told he can seek employment elsewhere.
A move to Arsenal looks increasingly likely, but should De Gea depart, would United be foolish not to consider Cech?
Iker Casillas
Should De Gea move to Real Madrid for big money, he is unlikely to simply sit on the bench.
The man he would unseat between the sticks, of course, is club legend Iker Casillas, who has represented the club since making his debut back in 1999.
He has played over 500 appearances for the Merengues, and few players in world football can match him for experience.
Should De Gea leave for Real, might the World Cup-winning keeper move in the opposite direction? Valdes wouldn’t be happy about it, but we suspect United fans would be.
Samir Handanovic
Slovenian stopper Handanovic has regularly been named among potential successors for De Gea at Old Trafford.
The Inter Milan keeper is an accomplished, experienced goalie, who excels in one-on-one situations and, particularly, when dealing with penalties.
Set to leave the Italian side this summer, Handanovic has expressed his desire to move to one of Europe’s major clubs…they don’t get much bigger than United.
He may have flopped against Juventus this weekend, but van Gaal won’t be overlooking this man’s qualities.
Asmir Begovic
According to the Mirror, Manchester United are already lining up Stoke City keeper Asmir Begovic as De Gea’s replacement.
Like Lloris, the Bosnia stopper has experience of the Premier League, and, out of contract in a year’s time, would likely be a cheaper option than the other players on this list—even if a transfer fee would be required.
Begovic was a previous target of Sir Alex Ferguson, will van Gaal renew the club’s interest in the 27-year-old Potters guardsman?