Man Utd to submit first bid for top Ten Hag keeper target next week amid double De Gea exit strategy
Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag has chosen Jordan Pickford as his main goalkeeper target this summer and is ready to test the water with an opening bid, reports claim.
Ten Hag wants Man Utd to sign a new keeper this summer who would be a better fit for his philosophy of playing out from the back than David de Gea. The Spaniard won the Premier League golden glove award this season, but not necessarily because of his own virtues.
De Gea has been in the spotlight for some ways in which he hasn’t looked comfortable in recent months. Therefore, there is currently some uncertainty about what his future will hold.
Man Utd have reportedly offered him a new contract on lower wages, but he might not be number one anymore even if he signs it.
Indeed, the club are in the market for an upgrade in goal, which has led to links with the likes of Andre Onana from Inter.
But according to the Daily Star, Pickford is the man Ten Hag wants to sign. The Everton goalkeeper has impressed the Dutchman with his shot-stopping and distribution.
Consequently, the report claims Man Utd will make a £45m bid to Everton next week. They are hoping to take advantage of the precarious financial situation the Toffees are in.
Pickford has been claimed to still be settled with Everton. However, Man Utd would supposedly be willing to double the £100,000-a-week salary he earns from them.
The £200,000-per-week package that would potentially be on offer is equal to the one they want De Gea to drop to.
Furthermore, the Red Devils would give Pickford the chance to test himself in the Champions League for the first time in his career.
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Nevertheless, Everton have Pickford under contract until 2027 after extending his deal in February. The 29-year-old has been at Goodison Park since 2017, when he was sold by Sunderland.
Still first choice for England at international level, thanks similarly to his ability with his feet, an interesting summer awaits for Pickford.
De Gea to leave Man Utd via one of two ways
Man Utd will want some clarity about their goalkeeping department soon, since De Gea’s deal is up and Jack Butland – who was serving as his backup while on loan from Crystal Palace – is joining Rangers.
In terms of De Gea’s future, the report claims there are two options – either of which would see him leave in the event of a new number one arriving.
First, Man Utd could activate the one-year option they have to extend his contract into 2024 before selling him to the highest bidder. That way, though, he would still be on his £375,000-per-week wages until someone buys him.
Alternatively, Man Utd could simply release him when his contract expires at the end of the month. Before allowing that to happen, though, they would want to have a replacement lined up.
Hence, they are ready to test the water with their first offer for Pickford within the next week. If Everton accept a £45m deal, he would become their fourth most expensive export of all time.
Tottenham are also named as contenders for Pickford, but their lack of European football might make them less appealing in comparison to Man Utd.
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The article Man Utd to submit first bid for top Ten Hag keeper target next week amid double De Gea exit strategy appeared first on Teamtalk.com.