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The future of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea remains a major talking point at Old Trafford, and manager Erik ten Hag is keen to resolve these talks. Whilst the club are willing to discuss a potential extension to his deal, they too are seemingly planning for like without the Spaniard, and have targeted a possible replacement.
The Daily Star is claiming that Manchester United could be about to present Premier League rivals Everton with a £45million offer to try and prize goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to The Red Devils. Pickford is currently away on international duty preparing for their upcoming European Championship Qualification clash with North Macedonia.
It is understood that Pickford would be ten Hag’s preferred choice, should de Gea decide to move elsewhere following the expiration of his contract. Pickford, aged 29, has been with Everton after signing from Sunderland in June 2017 for an initial fee of £25million. Only a few months ago, in February, he signed a new four-and-a-half year deal at Goodison Park.
The big issue with regards to de Gea revolves around wages, with Manchester United only willing to discuss a fresh contract if he were to accept a pay-cut. He currently earns £275,000 per week, and the club has offered a weekly wage of £200,000 to the former Atlético Madrid keeper.
Whilst he has made a series of high-profile errors in more recent times, such as against Sevilla and also versus West Ham United, de Gea has been a great servant to the club since signing in 2011. It could be now that ten Hag is willing to change the number one jersey after all these years, and there are obvious reasons as to why he believes Pickford could be the right choice.
Playing in a struggling Everton side over the last few seasons, Pickford has obviously been quite busy between the sticks. As such, his shot-stopping ability is there for all to see, but it is not that which stands him out over de Gea. That would be his distribution, and for club and country he has demonstrated he has this one major advantage over the player he could well replace.
Although Pickford has signed a new contract not that long ago, could it be that he might find Manchester United too much of a challenge to resist. As mentioned, he has been playing in a struggling team, so the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League is the carrot that practically every player is attracted by. At 29, this may be his last chance to make a big move, too.
Manchester United: Pickford or de Gea?
Time is running out for de Gea to make his mind up over the contract offered to him. Clearly having to take a pay-cut, and quite a significant one, is something that no player ever wants to do, even if they’re a top player without the pressing financial needs.
It could be an ego thing, and you have to be selfish as a footballer. If he did move on, there would likely be plenty of takers for him. Either way, Manchester United look to have all angles covered. They are now in the situation where they can offer UEFA Champions League football, and Pickford just might want to test himself at the highest level of club football.
Pickford clearly has a love and passion for Everton, and this would test his heart strings. Ultimately, Everton don’t have to accept such an offer, but Pickford himself could force a transfer himself, if indeed he is willing to depart Goodison. Pickford over de Gea is probably Manchester United’s preferred outcome, looking at the bigger picture.
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