Atletico Madrid superstar Jan Oblak is reportedly seeking a move away from the club this summer, with Manchester United emerging as his favoured destination.
Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of a possible replacement for contract rebel David de Gea, as Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak wants to seal a transfer to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid this summer, according to a report from ESPN.
Manchester United are staring at the possibility of losing star goalkeeper de Gea in the transfer window. The Spanish international, who endured a difficult 2018-19 campaign, will be entering the final year of his contract with the club next month. Despite the Red Devils’ numerous attempts to tie him down to a new deal, de Gea is yet to put pen to paper.
The 28-year-old is holding out for a pay packet worth £350,000-a-week, which Manchester United are reluctant to meet. And after de Gea rejected the club’s latest contract offer, the club are now seriously considering the possibility of cashing in on him this summer, rather than losing him on a free transfer twelve months later.
Manchester United were believed to be looking at Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan as a possible replacement for de Gea. But, according to the report from ESPN, Atletico Madrid superstar Jan Oblak, who has been on the club’s radar in the past, is keen on joining the 20-time English champions, which will come as a huge boost for the club.
Oblak has established himself as one of the finest goalkeepers in Europe since joining Atletico Madrid from Benfica in 2014. The 26-year-old has won four consecutive Zamora Awards as La Liga’s best goalkeeper, including one in the 2018-19 term as he finished the season with 20 clean sheets from 37 league matches, helping Atleti to the second spot.
Oblak signed a new long-term contract with Atletico in April, extending his stay at the club till 2023. But, the Slovenian international is now intent on securing an exit after he feels let down by the club’s transfer planning. The La Liga heavyweights are set to lose star forward Antoine Griezmann this summer, along with captain Diego Godin, Lucas Hernandez, Juanfran and Filipe Luis.
While Atletico have recruited defender Felipe from Porto and striker Nicolas Ibanez from their Mexican franchise Atletico de San Luis, Oblak has concerns over the club’s competitiveness given the number of key players that will be departing, leading to him mulling over a exit.
Manchester United were reported to be willing to meet Oblak’s €120 million release clause and with the 26-year-old now favouring a move to Old Trafford, despite the lack of Champions League football on offer, the Red Devils could be set to ramp up their pursuit of the goalkeeper.
Any transfer would depend on whether de Gea leaves in the summer. But, should he decide to depart, Oblak would be the perfect replacement for the Spaniard at Manchester United. It remains to be seen how this story develops in the coming weeks.
