MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag has blocked Tom Heaton’s move to a Premier League rival.
The decision is the biggest hint yet that David de Gea will leave Old Trafford on a free transfer.
De Gea’s contract is set to expire on Friday and he is yet to agree a new contract with the Red Devils.
The Spanish keeper had reportedly signed a contract extension before the club backed out due to Ten Hag’s concerns over De Gea.
He now looks set to leave the club after 12 years, having posted a cryptic tweet on Wednesday as his contract runs down.
Ten Hag has even dropped a hint De Gea is leaving after reportedly stopping Heaton from joining Luton Town this summer.
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The Telegraph report the United boss is reluctant to allow the veteran keeper to leave despite his desire to depart.
A move to Luton would have seen the 37-year-old become the newly promoted side’s first-choice between the sticks.
However, Ten Hag is unwilling to lose the former England international as his goalkeeping conundrum continues.
Heaton returned to United in 2021 but has since made just three competitive appearances, largely acting as a back-up to De Gea.
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Fellow understudy Dean Henderson is also expected to leave United this summer, despite recent reports claiming he could stay at the club.
As for a new goalkeeper, United have been strongly linked with a move for Inter Milan’s Andre Onana.
The Italian giants’ transfer chief flew into Manchester earlier this week in a bid to finalise the deal, but the transfer is still to be agreed.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
