Manchester United to launch shock £30m bid for England goalkeeper: report
Manchester United are set to move for an English goalkeeper this summer to rival David De Gea
Manchester United are set to make a surprise move for an England goalkeeper to shake up the squad.
Red Devils custodian David De Gea has come under criticism of late for his performances but manager Erik ten Hag has backed the Spaniard in goal – until recently, when comments about his position as No.1 were made.
When asked by The Times if De Gea continue at Old Trafford, the Dutchman replied, "Yes, but I will not say he'll always be my No.1 – because in a club like Man United there must be competition in all positions."
According to talkSPORT, Jordan Pickford is top of the list for Ten Hag.
The England goalkeeper was one of Everton's standout players in a poor season, as the Toffees scraped survival on the final day of the season. At 29, he would be another experienced head in the United side.
According to Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports, United weren't the only club in for Pickford. Had Everton gone down, he could well have gone to Tottenham Hotspur.
"Jordan Pickford would have been available if Everton had gone down," Jacobs told FourFourTwo on June 1. "He has only recently signed a new deal but there was gentleman’s agreement that he could have left had Everton got relegated: now that he’s stayed up, he’s going to be harder to get."
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United are getting closer to selling Dean Henderson, according to GiveMeSport, too, with Nottingham Forest reportedly keen on making his loan deal permanent.
Pickford is valued by Transfermarkt at around £25 million.
More Manchester United stories
Manchester United transfer news is doing the rounds, with the Red Devils said to be in the market for several stars this summer.
Ten Hag wants a new striker. Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund has been linked with a £40m move, while Mohammed Kudus would cost as much, too. Kim Min-jae is seriously linked, while Mason Mount continues to be rumoured, too. Incredibly, Neymar has been linked as well.
United have also been reported to have interest in US midfielder Taylor Booth, while Adrian Rabiot has been linked, too.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.