Former Manchester United goalkeeper and free agent David de Gea is reportedly in talks with Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab.
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De Gea left United last summerBeen a free agent since thenIn talks over Al-Shabab moveGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
De Gea departed the Red Devils at the end of last season, ending a 12-year association at Old Trafford. The 33-year-old looked set to sign a new deal with the club last June, taking a wage cut in the process, but United pulled out of the process and signed Inter's Andre Onana instead. After previously being linked with Al-Nassr and and Newcastle United, the Daily Mail claims talks are progressing with Al-Shabab over a transfer.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE
De Gea, who played 545 times for United, was reportedly given the boot as the Red Devils wanted a keeper who was more confident with the ball at his feet to kickstart attacks. While £47.2 million ($59.9m) signing Onana is more technically proficient, it is up for debate whether or not the Premier League giants made a mistake allowing the Spanish international to move on.
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
In De Gea's last season with United he won the Premier League Golden Glove after keeping 17 clean sheets as Erik ten Hag's men finished third in the division. That was the second time the Spaniard had secured the award following his success in 2017/18 when he kept 18 clean sheets.
WHAT NEXT?
As De Gea is a free agent, he is not bound by the January transfer window to get the deal done as soon as possible. After being without a club for more than six months, the former Atletico Madrid man may need to get up to speed with a team again but the fact that Al-Shabab don't play again until mid-February may allow him the time to acclimatise and hit the ground running.