A return to the Premier League for David de Gea would ‘make sense’ as Newcastle reportedly mull over a deal for the free-agent former Manchester United goalkeeper following Nick Pope’s injury.
Danny Murphy, the one-time England, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, appears more up for the idea than Eddie Howe anyway.
Speaking to The Telegraph ahead of Thursday’s trip to Everton, the Newcastle United boss insisted that there has been no contact with David de Gea’s camp. It could stay that way too, Howe throwing his support behind the long-serving Martin Dubravka and third-choice Lorius Karius even with Nick Pope facing an absence of around four months.
Eddie Howe plays down David de Gea rumours
“We have not made any enquiries (about De Gea). It’s a chance for the other keepers to consolidate their positions,” Howe explains.
“We really believe in Martin. Martin is a high class goalkeeper, very good with his feet and distribution.”
De Gea’s ‘distribution’ certainly played a major role in his departure from Manchester United over the summer, Erik ten Hag dumping a modern day Red Devils icon in favour of the flawed but more well-rounded Andre Onana.
Despite only recently turning 33 – relatively young for a goalkeeper – one of the finest shot-stoppers of the 21st century remains without a club, though Murphy believes that could still change, especially if Dubravka cannot replicate Pope’s miracle-like reactions between the sticks.
Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale has also been linked
Nick Pope out for months
“I wouldn’t put it out my head. (De Gea is very) experienced. He’s been there and done it in this league,” Murphy tells talkSPORT (6 December, 1pm). “You’d have to check his fitness.
“Dubravka is a good keeper, so I don’t know if they would go for De Gea. (But) it makes sense
“A little bit (surprised he still doesn’t have a club). Playing in the latter stages of your career is the most important thing. Maybe he was waiting for something that didn’t come.”
De Gea, capped 45 times by Spain and a Premier League champion under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, was labelled ‘outstanding’ by Howe during his time in the Bournemouth dugout (Sky Sports).
But, in truth, high-profile blunders have become as much a calling card of the former Atletico Madrid ace as the gravity-defying saves he once made his trademark.
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