David de Gea remains the undisputed starter for Manchester United and while the club are hoping to renew the long-standing goalkeeper, a successor has already been decided.
The United no. 1 is currently enjoying a £375,000-a-week contract that expires in June, 2023. United boss Erik ten Hag is keen on keeping the 32-year-old at Old Trafford but the Premier League giants are only ready to offer a reduced yet impressive £250,000-a-week contract renewal deal.
De Gea has been at the theatre of dreams for more than a decade, having 521 appearances for the Red Devils, and even at 32, he remains the undisputed favorite between the sticks for current boss Ten Hag. Both 36-year-old Tom Heaton and 29-year-old loanee Jack Butland have failed to make a single appearance under the Dutch manager this season.
While Dean Henderson will return from his loan sting with Nottingham Forest in the summer, the 25-year-old goalkeeper is likely to be placed on the transfer list in order to guarantee the playtime he desires.
Manchester United eye 22-year-old as successor to David de Gea
The Sun reports that despite the intention of renewing De Gea, the Red Devils have identified French international Illan Meslier as the long-term successor to the Spaniard. The reported plan is that United will bid for the 22-year-old only if De Gea rejects the renewal offer and Meslier can be offered a guaranteed starter role.
The problem is that Leeds United are currently 19th on the Premier League table and if the club does get relegated, the goalkeeper is likely to be sold which will force Ten Hag to be more proactive in order to not lose the talented youngster to another club.
Would you like to see Illan Meslier as the first-choice goalkeeper at Old Trafford?