Man Utd face fight over De Gea replacement

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 29 Sep 2022 12:37 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United and Tottenham have both explored long-term successors to their goalkeepers and the two could end up battling it out for their prime target.

David de Gea is in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, although United have the option to extend for a further season, while Hugo Lloris is expected to leave Spurs when his deal expires in 2024.

With both players on high wages and already into their thirties, the Premier League duo have scouted replacements and Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak is believed to be at the top of their lists.

The Slovenian stopper has returned to his best form this season after suffering a difficult campaign last year and he recently signed an extension to his contract which could keep him at Atletico until 2028.

The Spanish side are believed to be open to a sale and Spurs are believed to have already sounded out a potential move for Oblak next summer to replace 35-year-old Lloris despite the Frenchman still performing well.

United, meanwhile, are believed to have reservations over whether to offer De Gea a new long-term deal and they have reportedly asked to be kept informed about Oblak's situation.

Chelsea also have a long-standing interest in Oblak but they have not made any indication that they will make a move for the 29-year-old in the near future.

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What has Oblak said about a potential move?

Oblak spoke to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague last year and admitted he would be open to a move abroad as he felt he could perform in any league.

"The Premier League has strong teams, maybe the strongest. But I think in the end it is what the coach is asking of you. You listen to his instructions," Oblak said.

"You are one of the XI, so you do what he asks of you. All the players on the pitch are thinking like that. It doesn't matter if it's the Premier League, Italian league, Spanish league, wherever you go you need to do what the coach is asking you to do.

"I don't know what the future will bring, but I am sure that in any league I would play I could play well. You never know what will happen in the future.

"Now I have been in Spain for seven years. Let's see. I'm still young. Not so young anymore, but I still have some years in front of me.

"The most important thing for me is the hope that I do not suffer any injuries. Let's see what the future will bring.”