Ex-Man United star David de Gea ‘is being monitored by Barcelona as a back-up option to Marc-Andre ter Stegen’ as the cash-strapped Catalans ‘weigh-up a move for the free agent’
- David de Gea has yet to find a new club since leaving Man United last summer
- The Spanish goalkeeper has a wealth of experience at the highest level of the sport
- Manchester United’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe can rebuild the stadium, build a museum… but they have to pay for it – It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a move for former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea this summer.
De Gea is still without a club after leaving Manchester United at the end of last season as Premier League Golden Glove winners and was allowed to leave the club on a free transfer.
The Spanish stopper has since become a free agent, although he has yet to find a new employer despite being linked with a number of high-profile vacancies.
According to reports from Spain, De Gea is now being considered as a back-up option for Barcelona.
Mundo Deportivo claims the Catalan side are looking to upgrade current number 2 Inaki Pena, who is under contract until 2026.
David de Gea left Manchester United last summer as the reigning Premier League Golden Glove winner
Marc-André ter Stegen is the current number 1 at Barcelona, but missed seventeen games earlier this season due to injury
With Barcelona short of cash, selling Pena to land De Gea for free would be a cost-effective way to strengthen their goalkeeping options behind No. 1 Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Pena initially impressed earlier this season when Ter Stegen was on the sidelines and missed a total of seventeen games.
Yet the 24-year-old began to let the goals slip, with his decline in form coinciding with the club’s, during a period that saw him concede 19 times in 10 LaLiga appearances.
In De Gea, Barca would find a goalkeeper with 545 games of experience at the highest level.
The 33-year-old has already won countless blood in European club competition, earning 45 caps for Spain.
However, De Gea is not their only target as the club are already monitoring Lazio loanee Luis Maximiano, who has impressed at Almeria.
Barcelona are crippled by financial problems and a free move could be a sensible way to save on reinforcements
There is no concrete confirmation yet that De Gea is a real transfer target for the Catalan side this summer, even though he is believed to be on the transfer agenda.
However, whether a player who has been No. 1 at a top club like United for more than a decade is willing to play second fiddle remains to be seen.
