MANCHESTER UNITED have identified Leeds keeper Illan Meslier as the long-term replacement for David de Gea, according to reports.
De Gea, 31, held on to the No1 spot at Old Trafford at the start of last season, taking advantage of Dean Henderson’s Covid-related issues.
Now at the start of the new campaign, the Spaniard faces very little competition for the position as Henderson has gone out on loan to Nottingham Forest.
And Henderson’s comments this summer have triggered Man Utd into searching for a new No2 – with Tom Heaton seen as a third choice option.
Henderson slammed United’s treatment of him and may well have closed the door on any kind of future at Old Trafford.
Speaking earlier this month about claims he was promised the No1 spot, he said: “Nobody followed through with anything they told me.
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
“I turned many loans down for that reason. It was frustrating. To sit there and waste 12 months is criminal at my age. I was fuming.”
According to The Athletic, a sum of £7million has been set aside to look for a new shot-stopper.
And Leeds No1 Meslier has been talked up as a potential target.
However, Jesse Marsch’s outfit will not sell the French keeper this summer.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
So United will have to look to future transfer windows if they are to swoop in and sign him.
Meslier joined Leeds on a season-long loan from Lorient in 2019 – a move which became permanent the following year for around £5m.
He played just 11 times in the season where Leeds were promoted from the Championship to the Premier League.
But since then he has become their established No1, missing just three league matches over the past two campaigns.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
