Manchester United will reportedly target Barcelona stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen if David De Gea does end up leaving for Real Madrid in the summer.
As per a report from Spanish publication Don Balon, Barcelona could come out as the loser of Real Madrid’s pursuit of David De Gea. The report entails that if the Spaniard does end up moving to the Spanish capital in the summer, Manchester United will reinvest the funds to bid for Barcelona number one Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
David De Gea has been on the radar of Real Madrid for the past 3 seasons and with Los Blancos enduring a torrid domestic 2017-18 campaign, there are rumbles of a summer rebuild in process. And one of the priorities is the arrival of a quality goalkeeper to guard the goal, with Keylor Navas and Kiko Casilla not really managing to impress on a consistent basis.
While there are several targets on Real Madrid’s shortlist, David De Gea is right up there at the top, perhaps alongside Thibaut Courtois, with both the keepers having already played in La Liga and in the Spanish capital itself.
De Gea is currently happy at Manchester United, but the summer could bring in some unexpected transfers, as has often been the case in recent transfer windows. The report entails that Real Madrid will up the ante and offer around €100 million for the stopper, which could be enough to persuade Manchester United to part with the Spaniard.
But, the aforementioned could spell trouble for Barcelona as the report also iterates that, should De Gea end up leaving Old Trafford, Manchester United will look to replace him with their number one, Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Like De Gea at Manchester United, there was skepticism surrounding ter Stegen’s arrival at Barcelona. But, the player has grown into the role and has become one of the key performers for the club, cementing his place as the first-choice at Nou Camp.
19 shutouts in 33 appearances, leaking just 19 goals, ter Stegen has been at his best this season, being the difference in many matches for Barcelona. The German is contracted to the club till 2022 and while he is said to be happy at the club, Manchester United’s offer could entice him, if the Red Devils offer a bumper pay package.
Manchester United would also present a new challenge and the prospect of being able to ply his trade in a new league altogether, which could also be a factor in ter Stegen’s decision. The entire deal though, hinges on De Gea’s proposed move to Real Madrid.
If Manchester United manage to keep a hold of their prized possession, ter Stegen will stay put. And even if De Gea ends up leaving for Real Madrid, there is little chance of United being able to convince the German to come to Old Trafford, especially with ter Stegen’s current stature at Barcelona.
