Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Fabrizio Romano reveals transfer truths on Man Utd links to Spanish keeper with January deal hopes explained

Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion), David de Gea (Manchester United) and Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao) of Spain

Manchester United’s prospects of signing a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window have been given the lowdown by Fabrizio Romano.

Erik ten Hag is busy making plans for phase two of his rebuilding plans at Old Trafford. During the summer window, the United boss was allowed to spend well over £200m with six new players coming through the welcome doors. But the work is far from done with another busy transfer window expected during January.

Top of Ten Hag’s priorities are the signing of a new striker. With Cristiano Ronaldo parting ways, the club are on the hunt for another forward to replace his goals. And while Ronaldo has not been a regular this season, the 24 goals he notched last season illustrate just how important he was to the cause.

To that end, the club are reportedly pushing hard to bring in a prolific hitman in a deal that could set them back a club-record fee.

In addition, the United boss is also hopeful of nabbing a new right-back. TEAMtalk exclusively revealed this week that Aaron Wan-Bissaka will be allowed to depart with two Premier League sides battling for his signature.

Further down the line, Ten Hag also has a big decision to make on the United goalkeeping situation.

David De Gea’s deal is due to expire in the summer, though the club do hold a one-year option. However, after the departure of Ronaldo, De Gea is left standing as the club’s top earner. Per reports, he earns a package worth an estimated £350,000 a week.

And with doubts emerging that he is not entirely suited to Ten Hag’s style of football, reports are suggesting he could be allowed to depart.

Unai Simon links to Man Utd discussed

Indeed, the long-serving United No 1 is being linked with a move to Juventus. And were he to be granted a move, clubs in his homeland would also likely come calling.

Should this season prove to be his last at Old Trafford, United are reportedly looking into a number of potential successors.

And a report earlier this week suggested Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon – the man who usurped De Gea as Spain No 1 – could also replace him in goal for United.

Simon is rated between £30m – £40m by the Basque outfit. As such, any deal would not come cheap, though he would be within reach were they to pursue his signing.

However, trusted reporter Romano has downplayed talk of such a move happening. And the Italian suggests he’s not expecting much movement on the goalkeeper front during the winter window.

“Honestly, I’m not aware of any talk between Man United and Unai Simon or his agents,” he told Caught Offside.

“I think he’s very good goalkeeper but at the moment the goalkeepers market, in general, is really quiet. It’s always kind of domino for the goalkeepers and I don’t see big things changing in January.”

That is not to say Simon, though, would not be on their radar come the summer. United, however, are likely to postpone any decision on their goalkeeper until the end of the season. Ten Hag’s priorities are likely to immediately lie on other position in January. As such, De Gea will be able to see out this season at least in the United goal.

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