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Topics: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Football, Transfers, David De Gea, La Liga, Premier League
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Football, Transfers, David De Gea, La Liga, Premier League
Barcelona are reportedly plotting a move for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.
De Gea, 32, has been with United since joining from Atletico Madrid in a £19m move in 2011.
He has gone on to make 507 appearances for the Red Devils, winning the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup during his time at Old Trafford.
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De Gea, who is believed to be the highest-paid goalkeeper in world football, is out of contract with United in the summer.
However, the Premier League hold the option of extending his deal by a further year.
According to Calciomercato, Barcelona are considering making a move for the Spaniard if their current No 1, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, leaves in the summer.
Ter Stegen is under contract with the Catalan side until 2025 but was reportedly close to leaving the Nou Camp in the last window.
It is not the first time De Gea has been linked with a return to Spanish football.
In 2015, he was on the verge of joining Real Madrid before the move dramatically collapsed after Real failed to register the transfer before the 10pm deadline – reportedly because of an issue with United's fax machine.
De Gea was recently left out of Spain's squad for the ongoing World Cup in Qatar, with Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga also left at home.
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Spain boss Luis Enrique instead opted to call up Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon, Brighton's Robert Sanchez and Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.
United manager Erik ten Hag gave his support to De Gea following his omission from the squad, describing the Spaniard as a "magnificent" goalkeeper.
"Everyone has his own opinion and his own philosophy," Ten Hag said. "For me, the first from a goalkeeper is you have to protect the goal, so make sure you don't concede goals and in that fact he is magnificent.
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"And on the feet, for me, he has the capabilities as well. This season, he is progressing from game to game in that part. It has to do not only with the keeper but it has to do with the one in front: how do you give the keeper options to bring passes in.
"Because when they don't bring freedom or they are in the wrong positions, he doesn't have the options to pass around.
"But I am convinced he can do it and I think the games so far prove that. I think he will improve from game to game in that part."