Man Utd transfers: Ruthless Ten Hag ‘agrees deal’ for new £44m goalkeeper with second arrival from Juventus now top priority
David Raya in Premier League action for Brentford against Norwich at Carrow Road
Manchester United are seemingly close to a monumental decision on their goalkeeper situation with reports in Spain claiming an agreement worth £44m will soon be agreed for David Raya.
The Red Devils are gearing up for another summer of major signings at Old Trafford. Having spent around £216m last summer, Ten Hag has steered United back into the Champions League. And they could add another trophy to the Carabao Cup already in the bag if they can get the better of Manchester City in next Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Now the next phase of Ten Hag’s rebuilding programme is about to get underway. And with a prospective new owner hoping to be drafted in, a report has detailed a 10-name list of transfer targets on their radar.
Indeed, United’s bid to sign a new striker and a new defender is well documented. By widespread reports, they are preparing to go big and get their summer recruitment drive off to a dream start.
However, perhaps the most pressing issue for Ten Hag surrounds the status of their goalkeeper.
The gloves at Old Trafford have been worn with great prestige by David De Gea for 12 seasons now. And there is little doubting that the £18.9m spent on De Gea from Atletico Madrid in 2011 will go down as one of the club’s best overseas signings.
De Gea, now 32, has won every major domestic honour at Old Trafford.
But with his deal due to expire in a matter of weeks, talks over an extension are yet to see an agreement reached.
Indeed, with a current take home pay of £375,000 a week, De Gea is currently United’s top earner.
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Man Utd ready to ditch De Gea and sign Raya
Should he agree a new deal, De Gea will need to agree a significant reduction on his current salary. And while he has won the 2022/23 Golden Gloves award for the most clean sheets this season, questions remain over De Gea’s style and suitability for Ten Hag’s United.
As a result, reports in Spain claim a ruthless Ten Hag will allow De Gea to quit Old Trafford on a free.
And in his place, the Red Devils will sign Brentford star Raya in a £44m deal.
The twice-capped Spain star has usurped De Gea in the Spain squad; now it seems he’s also ready to take his place at United too.
The Barcelona-born star has emerged as one of the Premier League’s best goalkeepers in recent seasons. Indeed, he is an extremely good shot stopper, making 230 saves so far this season. That gives him an impressive saves percentage of 76.84%.
Moreover, Raya is also extremely adept with the ball at his feet, averaging a 61% completion rate, which is high for a keeper.
But with just a year left on his deal, Raya has made clear of his plans to move on.
And now reports in Spain claim Ten Hag has agreed to meet the Bees’ £44m demands. And the 27-year-old now looks poised to become their first big signing of the summer, if the reports are accurate.
Ten Hag wants Adrien Rabiot signing for Man Utd
Once the signing of Raya is done, Ten Hag will reportedly then turn his focus towards the midfield.
And Saturday’s Mundo Deportivo claims the the United boss is going all out to seal the signing of Adrien Rabiot.
The France star was on their wanted list last summer, only for the Red Devils to fail to reach an agreement.
United of course went on to sign Casemiro; the Brazilian proving excellent value for money even at £70m.
As for Rabiot, he has gone on to enjoy the best season of his career, scoring 11 goals and chipping in with five assists.
But with his deal due to expire in June, competition for his signature is gathering pace.
Indeed, the likes of Newcastle, Bayern Munich and United have all been strongly linked.
However, it is United who now appear to be leading the chase. They are reportedly willing to hand him a deal worth €10m a year – around £167,000 a week.
That marks a significant rise on his current £115,000 a week salary at Juventus.
And with the Bianconerri missing out on the Champions League next season, they are unable to match United’s offer.
As a result, the 28-year-old will reportedly set to sign for United and form a midfield alliance with Casemiro.
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