Erik ten Hag reportedly wants Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid and Spain to join Manchester United as David De Gea’s replacement.
De Gea’s current contract expires this summer, and he has not yet agreed to a new one. United could have automatically extended his contract until 2024 on the same terms, but they preferred that he accept a pay cut.
De Gea and United are ‘still to come to an agreement’ over a new deal, according to a report from The Athletic earlier this week, which makes it increasingly likely that he will leave this summer.
If De Gea leaves, United will have to spend a lot of money on a new number-one custodian, and they are rumored to be interested in numerous players.
They allegedly made a bid for Courtois, who has recently emerged as one of the top goalkeepers in the world.
The 31-year-old formerly played for Chelsea, and since he has a contract that runs until 2026, Real Madrid can demand a high price for him.
Ten Hag’s United ‘will tempt’ Florentino Perez with a €90 million offer for ‘one of his untouchables’ at Real Madrid, according to Spanish publication Nacional.
Ten Hag is “calling for new faces,” according to the article, and if Sheikh Jassim wins the contest to become the club’s new owner, he would have “an endless budget.”
The prospective candidates Jab Oblak and Jordan Pickford have been “sounded out,” but Courtois has been “set as their priority target.”
At Real Madrid, the “galactico” is a “indispensable piece.” Despite knowing how difficult it would be to kidnap one of their “biggest stars,” Man United apparently “are willing to try their luck.”
United ‘intend to make an offer of 90 million euros’ to persuade Courtois to ‘pack his bags’ and they are ‘sure they can complete a deal’.
If this agreement is approved, Courtois’ salary might reportedly increase, although he is “very happy” in Spain and “not too seduced by the idea of returning to England.”
Andre Onana of Inter Milan is a much more likely target for Man Utd despite the fact that this trade is pretty doubtful.
The international player from Cameroon and Ten Hag may team up again this summer. They previously worked together at Ajax.
This week, it was reported that Onana’s representative had been “in Manchester” for negotiations with Man Utd and that he would cost them roughly £43 million if they were to recruit him away from the Serie A giants.