The primary reason Manchester United are targeting David De Gea has been laid bare.
United are said to be considering offering De Gea a short-term deal, given Andre Onana is set to go to the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February.
The 42-cap Spain international left this summer after 12 years at the club, upon failing to agree terms on a new contract to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
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It had been claimed in the Sun that De Gea had been offered greatly reduced terms at United, only for that proposal to be taken off the table.
In turn, De Gea left, admitting in a statement he was eager for a “new challenge”. He has been without a club ever since.
The Sun added that United asked the Spaniard not to agree to join another club until they had completed the signing of his replacement, Onana, from Inter in late July.
It now appears United may have U-turned on De Gea however, amid concern they will not have sufficient depth between the sticks at the turn of the year.
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Indeed, it is clear why United would have opted to bring back De Gea, given the absence of other free agents with the required pedigree to play for the club.
The alternatives include Timo Horn, who has played six times for Germany and made 201 Bundesliga appearances for Koln.
Elsewhere, Milos Krunic, who has spent his entire career playing in Serbia, is an option as is one-cap Spain international Sergio Asenjo.
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Indeed, when scouring through the free agent, De Gea is far and away the most high-profile and competent option.
Upon leaving United the first time around, De Gea said: "I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters.
"I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We've achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.
"I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestowed upon a few lucky footballers.
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"It's been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn't think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together.
"Now, it's the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.
"Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We've seen it all."
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Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Football, Manchester United, David De Gea, Transfers