Manchester United reportedly lead Manchester City in the race to sign Kasper Schmeichel in the summer.
According to a report in Sky Sports, Manchester United and Manchester City are both interested in signing Kasper Schmeichel from Leicester City in the summer transfer window, with the Red Devils firmly in the lead in his chase.
Schmeichel has been one of the standout performers for Leicester ever since he joined the club in 2011. An assured presence between the sticks, his performances were a key factor as the Foxes shocked the world by winning the Premier League title.
Talk building of Kasper Schmeichel being lined up as a possible replacement for David De Gea. Destiny? pic.twitter.com/Siq7siHr0B
— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) May 1, 2017
And while 2016/17 has seen the majority of the Leicester squad blow hot and cold, Schmeichel has remained as consistent as ever, earning a lot of praise for his solid performances. The 30-year-old has played 37 games in all competitions for his side this season, conceding 47 goals while keeping 13 clean sheets.
His exploits have now seen him attract attention from some of the best clubs in Europe, with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid previously linked with him. However, Manchester United and Manchester City have now emerged as the front-runners in the race to sign him.
Manchester United are in a precarious situation with David De Gea, whose future at Old Trafford beyond this season is uncertain due to Real Madrid’s interest in him. If De Gea does leave for the Spanish capital in the summer, Manchester United will be in need of a top quality goalkeeper.
They have, thus, turned their attention towards Schmeichel as their first choice to replace the Spain number one in that case. Schmeichel, too, could be keen on the move as that would give him a chance to follow in his father’s footsteps, with Peter Schmeichel being one of the most revered figures at Old Trafford.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are interested in signing Schmeichel as well, even though they trail their bitter rivals in the race to sign him. Nevertheless, the need to sign a goalkeeper in the summer is urgent following the disastrous showing between the sticks by Claudio Bravo and Willy Caballero.
Joe Hart is set to leave the club at the end of the season as well, and Pep Guardiola has now turned his attention towards Schmeichel, who graduated from the Manchester City academy before joining Notts County in 2009.
At 30, Schmeichel is enjoying the best years of his career, and would represent a cheaper alternative to some of the other targets for both the clubs. Manchester United are in the lead for now, and it remains to be seen if City can persuade Schmeichel to favour a return to the Etihad over an Old Trafford switch.
