Man Utd make three-man goalkeeper shortlist as rumours heighten £45m star could oust De Gea
Despite David de Gea being offered a new contract, Man Utd have a shortlist of three potential replacements for their main goalkeeper, a report has revealed.
De Gea has been Man Utd’s number one this season, although he has been in the spotlight recently for some of the flaws that remain in his game. Even so, reports have indicated that he could extend his contract beyond the current campaign.
A renewal would be on a lower salary than what De Gea has currently been earning. However, the inclusion of key bonuses appears to have increased his chances of accepting the updated terms.
At the same time, though, Man Utd have been thinking about who could succeed De Gea as their number one. And according to an update from Give Me Sport, there are three goalkeeper targets in contention.
The report reminds that Giorgi Mamardashvili of Valencia is rising up Man Utd’s shortlist. Currently at risk of relegation from La Liga, the Georgia international could be available for a transfer fee in the region of £45million.
Mamardashvili has been with Valencia since 2021 and should remain under contract there until 2027. However, his future is far from certain given the precarious position his club are in.
The 22-year-old has started all 29 La Liga matches for Los Che this season. Yet it could turn out to be his last campaign with the club if Man Utd come calling.
Two other names join Mamardashvili on Man Utd shortlist
Furthermore, Man Utd scouts have been looking at David Raya of Brentford and Diogo Costa of Porto, according to the report.
Raya obviously has up-to-date Premier League experience and it could be encouraging that the 27-year-old’s contract with Brentford is only due to last until the end of next season. However, he does have other suitors beyond Man Utd, including Tottenham Hotspur.
Costa, meanwhile, has become Portugal’s number one in recent months. But the 23-year-old could leave his native country at club level, despite Porto still having him under contract until 2027.
Any of them could take over from De Gea if Man Utd perform a U-turn regarding the Spanish shot-stopper, who has been at the club since a 2011 transfer from Atletico Madrid.
For the time being, there will remain plenty of uncertainty about Man Utd’s goalkeeping department. They are also unsure who their backup option will be next season, since Jack Butland is due to leave after being on loan from Crystal Palace and Dean Henderson could be sold after his own outbound loan stint with Nottingham Forest.
Clearly, Man Utd have some big decisions to make regarding their options between the sticks.
