<p>As part of their goalkeeping overhaul, Barcelona is targeting a significant coup: former United goalkeeper David de Gea for free. After <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/de-gea-willing-to-discuss-potential-move-to-newcastle-20231205-WST-474947.html">De Gea</a>‘s unexpected nine-month spell without a club, the LaLiga giant is eager to acquire the seasoned goalkeeper.</p>



<p>The 33-year-old is now without a club, so <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> view this as a chance to sign him for free. Given the club’s financial restrictions and the possible advantages of getting an experienced goalie for free, this move is in line with their strategic strategy.</p>



<p>Deco and his Blaugrana transfer staff are monitoring the goalkeeper market closely in preparation for the summer transfer window. This follows discussions about the potential sale of Iñaki Peña.</p>



<h2>Future uncertain for backup?</h2>



<p>Only a year and a half ago, Barcelona extended goalkeeper Peña’s contract by three more years. In May, the Catalans were able to extend the 24-year-old’s contract until 2026, securing his future with the club. His previous deal was to expire after the previous season.</p>



<p>But there are already dark clouds over the future of the La Masia graduate, according to reports coming from Spain. <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/us/en/20240227/679605/gea-on-barcelona-s-radar-for-goalkeeping-reinforcement.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mundo Deportivo</a> reports that the club is now discussing whether or not the 24-year-old will remain after the summer.</p>



<p>Because of this, speculation is growing as to whether Barcelona will keep him on as Ter Stegen’s backup or seek a more seasoned candidate. The other side of this is the worry that Peña may want to go in pursuit of more.</p>



<p>Upon Ter Stegen’s comeback, he fell back to second place. The German had surgery to repair a back injury he sustained during the November international break. He was sidelined until earlier this month but returned for February 11’s match against Granada.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240228_WST_492035_De-Gea-free-move-1200x670_8c676178.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-492058" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/De-Gea-free-move-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/De-Gea-free-move-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/De-Gea-free-move-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/De-Gea-free-move.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>The 31-year-old has now made appearances in three consecutive LaLiga matches for Xavi Hernandez’s side. He also played in February 21’s opening leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter against Napoli.</p>



<h2>Will De Gea agree to play second fiddle?</h2>



<p>Thus, according to the report, Barcelona is reportedly thinking about making a bid for the former <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> goalie, De Gea. They see him as the perfect addition to their inexperienced goalkeeping department.</p>



<p>As far as the Catalan giants are concerned, he would be an ideal complement to current starting goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Whether the veteran is interested in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/de-gea-to-make-long-awaited-return-where-will-he-play-next-20230920-WST-457449.html">playing second fiddle</a> at this point in his career is an open question, but he would have to be if he moved to Camp Nou.</p>



<p>After his contract with the Premier League side ended last summer, De Gea was free to pursue other opportunities. Having agreed a new deal at Old Trafford, the club revoked it and offered him a new one at a lesser salary; the Spaniard eventually decided to depart after 12 years with the club.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>

De Gea set for return to play with European giants

As part of their goalkeeping overhaul, Barcelona is targeting a significant coup: Former United goalkeeper David de Gea for free.


<p>David De Gea may be on the verge of a comeback to the field with Spanish side Real Betis. Manchester United released its iconic goalkeeper at the end of the 2022/23 season.</p>



<p>The Spaniard shocked fans with his departure from Manchester United after more than a decade of service. The 32-year-old experienced goalie had previously thrived in years when the Red Devils were not at their best.</p>



<p>However, he had visible trouble adapting to the expectations of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/brighton-thrash-man-united-to-pile-misery-on-ten-hag-20230916-WST-456674.html">Erik ten Hag</a>. The Dutch manager insists that his goalkeepers play out from the back. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/emotional-reason-leads-david-de-gea-to-turn-down-inter-move-20230721-WST-444561.html">De Gea</a> committed several costly blunders last season in the last year of his contract. Then, ten Hag started looking for a new starting goalkeeper.</p>



<h5>Onana struggling in role to replace De Gea</h5>



<p>United acquired Andre Onana from Inter for a reported $49 million. This was only weeks after David de Gea declared his departure from the club. In spite of this widespread praise, the Cameroon international is off to a lackluster start at Old Trafford</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗣️ "Replacing David [de Gea] is not something easy…"<br><br>Andre Onana reflects on his first few games as Manchester United&apos;s new number one 🧤🔴 <a href="https://t.co/6JzqbYHKzp">pic.twitter.com/6JzqbYHKzp</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1704477768983916631?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>On the other hand, despite his impressive resume, De Gea has been unable to find a club. After 545 games with United, the Spanish international kept 190 clean sheets and was awarded the Premier League’s Golden Glove trophy.</p>



<p>Since departing Old Trafford, the 32-year-old keeper has reportedly turned down many offers. Among those proposals were transfers to European powerhouses <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/harry-kanes-bayern-munich-may-have-found-its-goalkeeper-20230814-WST-450105.html">Bayern Munich</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/real-madrid-lose-courtois-to-acl-injury-who-will-replace-him-20230811-WST-449407.html">Real Madrid</a>, both of which ultimately fell through.</p>



<h2>Real Betis plots move for de Gea</h2>



<p>But it seems like he is getting ready to return to the game now. <a href="https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/gea-mira-club-espanol-ultima-oportunidad-20230917.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fichajes</a>, a Spanish media site, reports that Real Betis may provide the 32-year-old a way back into the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">Spanish La Liga</a>.</p>



<p>Following Betis’ failed negotiations to sign former Manchester City ace Claudio Bravo, they now have a significant advantage. The Basque side is said to have made De Gea a contract offer, and the goalkeeper is considering it after rejecting offers from other clubs.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Focus Images</em></p>


De Gea to make long-awaited return: Where will he play next?

Although goalkeeper David De Gea has been out of the game since being released by Manchester United earlier this summer, he may soon return.

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De Gea set for return to play with European giants

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De Gea to make long-awaited return: Where will he play next?