AS Roma are reportedly considering a summer move for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, with Jose Mourinho keen on a reunion.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma are eyeing Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea for a switch to Serie A in a Bosman transfer in the off-season.
Despite questions over his ball-playing abilities and suitability in manager Erik ten Hag’s system, the former Atletico Madrid star remains one of the best in the world. The Spaniard had a shaky start to the season but has been impressive in recent months.
Manchester United won the Carabao Cup last month, ending a six-year trophy drought in a game where de Gea eclipsed Peter Schmeichel’s long-standing record of 180 clean sheets for the Red Devils.
The 32-year-old followed it up with another outstanding performance during the 3-1 victory over Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals prior to the international break, as his world-class saves kept Manchester United in the game before the Cottagers pushed the self-destruct button.
Despite his glowing performances, de Gea’s future in Manchester remains up in the air. The Spanish goalkeeper’s current Manchester United deal is up at the end of the season. And they currently risk letting one of their most important figures leave for nothing in three months’ time.
De Gea’s deal includes a one-year extension provision for the Red Devils. However, it was long believed that they would not activate it. Instead, they want to reach an agreement on an extension, and the player is also looking to iron out his future after more than a decade at Old Trafford.
Per recent reports, he has turned down the club’s opening offer of a new contract. De Gea signed a hefty deal in 2019 that made him not only the club’s highest-paid player but also the world’s highest-paid goalkeeper on an eye-watering £375,000 per week wage packet.
And while he recognises that he must take a reduction to remain at the club, the Red Devils’ latest offer is not satisfactory enough for the keeper, who believes he is still one of the most influential players in the dressing room, which should reflect in his wages.
Both parties are expected to continue talks in a bid to reach an agreement, as opening proposals are rarely accepted in football and there is enough time for that to happen. Needless to say, a host of top European clubs are monitoring his situation very carefully, with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus both understood to be firm long-term admirers. And Fichajes claim Italian giants AS Roma are also ready to swoop should he become a free agent at the end of the season.
Former Manchester United boss Mourinho is eager to reunite with his former shot-stopper in the Italian capital. With current No. 1 Rui Patricio performing below standard, Roma are looking for options to replace the Portuguese keeper. Patricio solidified a position that had been a problem for the Giallorossi since Alisson’s departure after the 2017/18 season.
However, at 35 years old, his advancing years seem to have caught up with him as he has made several high-profile errors. While de Gea would be a brilliant option, it looks doubtful Roma would be able to afford the Manchester United veteran’s extravagant wage demands.
