Manchester United transfer news: David De Gea replacement ‘identified as Barcelona goalkeeper'

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David De Gea

Dutch shot-stopper is set to leave the Nou Camp in search of first-team football and may end up at Old Trafford

Manchester United have identified Jasper Cillesen as a possible replacement for superstar David De Gea, if they lose him this summer.

The Spanish goalkeeper is currently in protracted contract talks at Old Trafford as he demands a pay rise, despite having to take a cut due to the Red Devils’ failure to qualify for the Champions League.

De Gea wants the same terms as team-mate Alexis Sanchez, the Premier League’s highest-paid player, but it is believed executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is unwilling to sanction this having seen the Chilean flop at Old Trafford.

This could see De Gea, 28, leave Man United on the cheap with Paris Saint-Germain contenders for his services as they plot Gianluigi Buffon’s successor.

He only has one year left on his current deal – an option exercised by the club – and holds all the cards having been the best player at Old Trafford for the last five campaign, despite a poor end to the current campaign.

United will have been diligently hunting for possible replacements and, according to the Daily Record, Cillessen is that man.

The 30-year-old has spent three season at the Nou Camp as a backup to Marc Andre ter Stegen but shown his ability in cup matches.

Against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League group stages, the Dutchman pulled off a number of impressive saves before a late Lucas Moura equaliser finally saw his goal-line breached.

Cillessen has, though, only played four league games and admitted he’s keen to leave in the summer for first-team football.

He told Dutch television last month: “First I will go on holiday. And then I hope to have a new club where I can play, because I want to play.”

Manchester United could have a rival for his signature, though, with Benfica also courting the player ahead of his exit.

Prior to his stint at Barcelona, he played 143 times for Ajax.