Manchester United are prepared to match Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak’s €120 million release clause, as they seek to replace David de Gea in the summer.
According to a report from ESPN, Premier League giants Manchester United are seriously considering the possibility of signing Atletico Madrid No. 1 Jan Oblak in the summer transfer window as a replacement for the struggling David de Gea. To that end, the Red Devils are willing to trigger Oblak’s €120 million buyout clause.
De Gea has been the biggest asset for Manchester United in this decade. The Spaniard, after a difficult debut season, has grown into one of the best goalkeepers in the game and has been named the club’s Player of the Year on four occasions. However, the past ten months or so have been very difficult for the 28-year-old.
De Gea endured a forgettable World Cup campaign with Spain and has been uncharacteristically error-prone in the ongoing season for Manchester United. The former Atletico Madrid stopper has made a series of high-profile errors in big games, most recently in the 1-1 draw against Chelsea that has hurt the Red Devils big time.
Moreover, the 28-year-old Spanish international will be entering the final year of his contract at the end of the season and negotiations over a new deal have reportedly hit a snag, casting a doubt on his immediate future at Manchester United.
PSG are huge admirers of de Gea and are willing to offer him a £90 million package to switch sides in the summer. And should he opt to go ahead with the move, Manchester United are considering making a swoop for Atletico Madrid’s Oblak.
Oblak, along with de Gea, is considered one of the best in the business in his position. The Slovenian joined Atletico from SL Benfica in 2014 and has established himself as a pivotal part of Diego Simeone’s side. He penned a new contract with the Rojiblancos in April, extending his stay at the club till the summer of 2023.
While Oblak is believed to be happy at Atletico Madrid, the report says he has some reservations over the ability of the squad to compete at the top level next season, as the La Liga outfit are set to lose key players Diego Godin, Lucas Hernandez, while Juanfran and Filipe Luis will be out of contract. Moreover, Saul Niguez has also been linked with a Premier League switch.
Manchester United are hoping to capitalize on the situation and swoop in for the 26-year-old. The report further adds that the Premier League heavyweights are willing to match Oblak’s €120 million release clause that was inserted in his new contract.
Oblak though, would ideally want to switch to a club in the Champions League should he decide to leave Atletico, which is looking unlikely for Manchester United as they lie in the sixth place in the Premier League with two games left.
Any move would hinge on how the de Gea’s situation unfolds in the coming few months. Should he leave Manchester United for PSG, Oblak would be a great replacement, but it might prove difficult for the club to convince him to join without Champions League football on offer.
