David de Gea’s Manchester United future is in major doubt after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferred Dean Henderson in Sunday night’s win over Brighton.
Henderson had started the six games before the international break, with De Gea returining to Spain to attend the birth of his first child.
But Solskjaer stuck with the Engand international, despite De Gea being ready and available for the visit of the Seagulls.
And speaking to BT Sport, United legend Rio Ferdinand believes there is “no chance” the goalkeeper remains at Old Trafford if Henderson retains his place.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“You’ve got two options: you fight for your position or you say, ‘that’s me done, I’m off and I’ll go somewhere else,” he said.
“If Dean Henderson finishes the season as number one, I don’t see De Gea staying there. No chance, I don’t see it. I think he’ll go out now.”
However, with a valuation of £50million and an eye-watering £350,000-per-week deal, any move will be tricky.
Here are how some of Europe’s elite stand in terms of signing the United keeper come the end of the season.
Real Madrid
(Image: REUTERS)
Los Blancos are the side that have most often been linked with a move for De Gea, with a deal collapsing in 2015 due to a paperwork mishap.
The scene is different in 2021 however, Real have Thiabut Courtois tied to a long-term deal and are unlikely to place any more resources in that department, particularly with the likes of Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe potentially being available.
Barcelona
Similarly to their La Liga rivals, Barca will focus their attentions elsewhere in the transfer market, with financial issues likely to prohibit their activities regardless.
Add the fact Marc-Andre ter Stegen has three years left on his contract, a move to the Nou Camp appears all-but impossible.
Atletico Madrid
(Image: NurPhoto/PA Images)
De Gea left Atleti when he made the move to the Premier League, but it is very, very unlikely he would now return.
Jan Oblak is arguably the best keeper in the game, if he was to leave for mega money there is a chance…a very remote one.
Juventus
(Image: REUTERS)
On the face of it, a move to Turin could make sense. Gianluigi Buffon is likely to retire at the end of the season, while some could see De Gea as an upgrade on Wojciech Szczesny.
Andrea Agnelli has also shown he has no issues about handing out mega contracts – whether he has been burnt by the Cristiano Ronaldo experience remains to be seen however.
Paris Saint-Germain
(Image: David Ramos)
The French champions have money to burn and could easily afford both his fee and wage. The major stumbling block? Keylor Navos.
The Costa Rican may be 34, but is still playing some of the best football in his career. Navas will be a free agent in 2023, it is unlikely they would look to replace before then.
And finally…
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Of course, there is still the very real possibility that the 2021/22 season kicks off with De Gea in between the sticks at Manchester United.
Solskjaer has claimed he will definitely play between now and the end of the season, it’s up to him to make sure there is no debate over who the real No.1 is.
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