La Liga star REJECTS Manchester United transfer amid Bayern Munich interest: report

Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag looks on during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on December 2, 2023. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon has reportedly turned down moves to Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

The Athletic Bilbao custodian, 26, has established himself as one of the best 'keepers in Europe in recent years.

But, despite interest from around Europe and further afield – Saudi Pro League clubs have also been linked with the six-foot-three shot-stopper – it seems Simon is quite content with the Basque giants for the time being.

SPAIN - DECEMBER 02: Unai Simon of Athletic Club in action during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano at San Mames on December 2, 2023, in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo By Ricardo Larreina/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Unai Simon has been Athletic Bilbao's number one since 2019 (Image credit: Getty Images)

That is according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, who claim that Simon – who has won 38 caps for Spain – is keen to stay at 'the club of his heart'. 

Athletic will certainly hope he does just that: their cantera policy of only recruiting Basque players or players of Basque descent would make replacing him something of a challenge.

Born in Basque capital Vitoria-Gasteiz, Simon made his Athletic first-team debut at the age of 21 and has gone on to feature 173 times for the club, helping them to successive Copa del Rey finals in 2020 and 2021

AL RAYYAN, QATAR - DECEMBER 6: Unai Simon of Spain during the Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium on December 6, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar (Photo by Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Simon has been Spain's first choice between the sticks at each of the last two major tournaments (Image credit: Getty Images)

As for Man United, it's a mark of how uncertain their goalkeeping situation is that they're even being linked with another 'keeper just four months after signing Andre Onana for £47m.

The successor to David de Gea between the sticks, Onana has been far from convincing since arriving from Inter Milan, making numerous costly errors for Erik ten Hag's side.

United also brought in Turkey 'keeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce during the summer transfer window, but the 25-year-old has yet to make his debut for the club.

More Manchester United stories

Erik ten Hag has admitted it might finally be time for Donny van de Beek to leave Manchester United for good.

Meanwhile, one of Europe's most prolific strikers is said to be keen on a move to Old Trafford.

And the Red Devils could swoop for one of the most exciting young players on the continent.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...