Man Utd target has given green light to Old Trafford move after proving he's ideal David de Gea replacement

Manchester United target David Raya has already confirmed that he would be interested in a move to a Champions League club next season.

It is a major boost to Erik ten Hag's side, who reportedly identified the Spaniard in January as a potential competitor or replacement for David de Gea. Chelsea and Tottenham are also said to be monitoring the goalkeeper.

The Spaniard has been in superb form for Brentford, and due to his contract situation - his current deal at the Bees expires next summer - he may prove to be an affordable option for United.

One of his main strengths is his distribution - an area which has elevated him above De Gea in the Spain national squad pecking order.

Against Liverpool, his kicking was on show as he regularly found forwards Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo.

And in the midst of De Gea's major error that saw West Ham defeat United 1-0 on Sunday, Raya's previous quotes on his future path have again re-emerged.

Raya wants Champions League football

Speaking on the 'Yours, Mine, Away!' podcast, ran by current Wrexham goalkeeper Mark Howard, the Brentford shot-stopper addressed his contract status at Brentford and his desire to play Champions League or Europa League football.

He explained: "I have a year left [on my contract] and I don't know what will happen in the summer. I've said before that I've had two contracts that I've turned down [at Brentford] because they weren't the offers I was looking for.

"I want to push myself to the highest level to the Champions League, the Europa League and to win those trophies. I want to experience that and I'm at that stage in my footballing career."

If he does join United, he will play in one of those competitions next season - although which one depends on whether Ten Hag's side can hang on to the fourth place they currently occupy by one point ahead of Liverpool, with a game in hand.