Manchester United are lining up a move for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen if they end up parting ways with David De Gea in the near future. According to recent reports, the Red Devils are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old La Liga keeper with Jose Mourinho planning to opt for his services if De Gea departs the club in favour of a move to Real Madrid next summer.
The United goalkeeper has been touted with a move away from Old Trafford in recent times. Los Blancos has been long-admirers of his talents and the Spaniard almost joining them in 2015 until a late fax mishap scuppered the deal. However, some sources are now claiming that Jose Mourinho’s side has made plans to replace De Gea if he finally ends up making a switch out of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
It is being reported that the Red Devils are prepared to officially table a bid for the Barca keeper Ter Stegen and could even be willing to meet his whopping £161m release clause. The 25-year-old German keeper has been in sensational form for the Catalans this season, keeping 20 clean sheets in all competitions. He has featured in 35 matches for Barca this term and has only let in 20 goals so far.
Manchester United are currently sitting in second place in the Premier League table with a tally of 62 points in 29 league matches. In any other season, Jose Mourinho’s side would be well in contention of winning the league but the record-breaking form of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City has seen them fall behind in the race for the league title. The Citizens of Manchester are leading the Premier League by a massive 16 points with the Red Devils desperately trying to play catch up with their ‘noisy neighbours’.
The addition of ter Stegen will undoubtedly bolster Jose Mourinho’s goalkeeping options going forward as he will be the perfect fit for United if they can lure him away from the Nou Camp. At 25, he has the potential to play at its peak for years to come and soften the blow of losing De Gea, if the Spaniard moves on for fresh adventures. The Red Devils also have Sergio Romero in their ranks but he is not considered as a long-term successor for De Gea.
It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of the ter Stegen and whether he ends up making a switch to Old Trafford in the near future.
