Manchester United Tables €35m Bid For Liverpool Target

It is no news that Manchester United are searching for a new top class goalkeeper who would replace Real Madrid-bound David De Gea as the Red Devils’ first choice safe hands.

De Gea’s girlfriend’s hint of a Madrid move for his partner and Louis van Gaal’s decision to drop De Gea from the squad that faced Tottenham on Saturday speaks volume of the fact that the Spanish goalie’s move to the Bernabeu is imminent.

Several names have been linked to Old Trafford in this hunt, with Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen, Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak and Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris being some of those. Although United signed free agent Sergio Romero some weeks back, van Gaal is understood to not believe the Argentine is fit to be first choice.

The Red Devils have now seen their €35m bid for Oblak rejected by Atletico, as per Marca.

The Spain-based newspaper reckons United have pinpointed the shot-stopper as the ideal candidate to replace De Gea should he leave. Atletico have therefore maintained their stance that they would not let their best players leave and as such, United’s bid for Oblak was rebuffed.

Oblak featured 22 times for Atletico last term and he has been touted to be the Spanish side’s first-choice to man the goal post this season.

The need to bring in a top-notch goalkeeper to replace De Gea if he leaves is paramount for Man United. The Spain international glovesman saved the Red Devils on a number of occasions, thereby helping the team to a top-four finish and consequently a Champions League qualification this season.

With reports of rejected bids for United’s goalkeeping targets everywhere, maybe van Gaal will have to make do with Romero as the former Sampdoria ace was on top of his game earlier today, bar some first half mistakes. Well, shaky starts are sometimes acceptable for players making their bow in the English Premier League.

Van Gaal may also decide to go all in for his country man Cillessen, whom he worked with in the Netherlands team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Ajax have also previously stated they may be unable to block his move should a bid come in for him.