It is looking increasingly likely that Manchester United may be forced into the market to sign a goalkeeper this summer, with talks over David de Gea’s extension still dragging on.
De Gea has less than two weeks remaining on his current deal at the club and earlier this week, he was not on the club’s list of retained players for the new season.
The Spaniard has been locked in talks with the club over fresh terms for months but with the transfer window officially open, there is yet to be a resolution.
As a result, David Raya, Diogo Costa and Andre Onana have emerged as possible candidates to replace De Gea between the sticks and now, Raya has addressed rumours over his future.
Raya has just one year remaining on his contract at Brentford but speaking recently, he admitted that the London club’s high asking price may deter some clubs.
“I know there are rumours about me leaving,” Raya told The Times. “There are some options for me to go but obviously Brentford are asking for a lot of money.
“That could make clubs not want to buy me, it could make them look somewhere else. But if that’s the value they give me then it’s up to them. I have a year left on my contract and until then I’m a Brentford player, there’s nothing I can do.
“I have ambitions to make the next step in my career. I want to try to win titles and to compete in Europe in the next couple of years. I’m 27 now and I feel like I’m at the point in my career when I want to make that step up. There are options out there but it’s not just my ambitions, the club also needs to let me go.”
SN’s verdict…
As the case often is, clubs tend to jack the price up when United come calling and considering their track record over the last 10 years, you can’t blame them.
Raya would be an able replacement for De Gea but questions remain over Brentford’s steep asking price and the longevity of the signing. Costa, another rumoured target, is younger but would come with a higher price tag.
United are, however, only expected to spend significant money on a goalkeeper if De Gea ends up putting an end to his 12-year stay at the club.