plans on signing a goalkeeper this summer to challenge next season – but he’s got just £15million to do so.
The Spaniard is out of contract at the end of the campaign, though United retain the option of extending his deal by a further 12 months.
The club would prefer to negotiate a new deal with De Gea, as they want him to sign reduced terms.
De Gea is United’s top earner on £375,000-a-week thanks to a deal he signed in 2019, when he was widely considered one of the top goalkeepers in the world.
The Spaniard’s stock is not quite as high these days, though he sealed the Golden Glove last week with a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Bournemouth.
Though Ten Hag would ideally like a goalkeeper that’s more comfortable with the ball at his feet, the Dutchman has other areas of his squad – such as centre forward and central midfield – that require more urgent attention.
The Daily Mail therefore claim he will sign a goalkeeper to challenge De Gea next season but that the new recruit will be valued at no more than £15m.
While that does not rule out the possibility of De Gea losing his spot, it’s not the big-money signing that many United fans feel the side needs in order for Ten Hag to perfect his style at the club.
Ten Hag has an initial budget of around £100m to spend this summer, which he will look to spend on a striker.
Moves beyond that will be funded by player sales, with the likes of Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek, Harry Maguire and Alex Telles up for sale.
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