Manchester United are reportedly rivalling Tottenham in the race to sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak ahead of the 2023 summer window – but David De Gea might have just given Spurs the upper hand in the race for stopper.
The Evening Standard recently reported that both Spurs and Manchester United are showing interest in the 29-year-old. Considered one of the best goalkeepers in world football, Oblak is contracted at Atleti until the summer of 2028.
Both teams might need a goalkeeper, come next summer. De Gea is out of contract at the end of the season, with it unclear if United actually want to renew his current deal. Hugo Lloris has a deal until June 2024 at Spurs, but is 35.
He will turn 36 by the January window and it is interesting to see how long Spurs see the France skipper as their no.1. So, Oblak has been identified as a replacement. But De Gea might have just handed Spurs a boost in the pursuit.
“I’m just very focused on the games helping the team as much as I can,” De Gea told BT Sport, as per the MEN. “Of course, I would like to be here for more years, so let’s see what happens in the future. I’m really, really happy here.”
De Gea might have given Tottenham upper hand in race for Oblak
It would save Manchester United a whole heap of cash, being able to keep De Gea. That, instead of having to enter the market and splash out millions to bring in a replacement. United may feel that they can make an improvement in goal.
His form has been up and down. But he reminded all what he is capable of during the latter stages of United’s 2-1 win over Everton on Sunday night. Of course, he knows United, he is a leader, with 498 United games under his belt.
While he is on a hefty contract, keeping him would still save cash and at 31 – United are not as desperate to find a replacement as Tottenham are with Lloris. So, keeping De Gea makes sense. Clearly, he is keen to stay, too.
If De Gea does sign a new deal at Old Trafford, Tottenham may be alone in their pursuit of £253,000 a week Oblak. However, if other clubs catch wind of Oblak being available, Spurs might find themselves challenging a new rival.
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