Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has raised several questions over the transfer window as his old side look to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp
David de Gea of Fiorentina greets the fans
David de Gea left Manchester United in 2023 before joining Fiorentina last summer after a year out of the game
(Image: Getty Images)
David de Gea has raised a debate over whether there needs to be changes to the transfer window. Manchester United have struggled to replace the Spanish goalkeeper since he left Old Trafford in the summer of 2023.
De Gea struggled for form in his final few seasons at M16 but his replacements - Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir - have been even more error-prone since joining United.
Now, the Reds have struck a deal to sign Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for £18.2million. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to a five-year contract and is en route to Manchester to finalise the move before Monday's 7pm transfer deadline.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United view Lammens as a promising young talent with a bright future. Although Aston Villa's Emiliano Martinez was considered, the Reds are confident that Lammens is the right choice.
At the same time, De Gea has questioned on Monday whether the transfer window should be open during the season.
"Question - Should the transfer window close before our season starts? Or should it continue the way it’s operating?", he asked on X (Twitter).
De Gea made a club record 545 appearances as a goalkeeper for United, bagging five major trophies since his arrival in 2011. The 34-year-old struggled to secure a new club after leaving United until he joined Italian Serie A side Fiorentina last summer.
The former Spain international delivered several standout performances for the Italian top-flight team, notably in Europe, where they made the Europa Conference League semi-finals -losing to Real Betis over the course of two legs.
De Gea made a return to Old Trafford for Fiorentina's pre-season friendly against United in August. It was the chance to say a goodbye he had not been afforded two years ago.
"It's a game I'll never forget, for sure," he said at the time. "Sometimes it's difficult to describe with words how you feel on the pitch, seeing the crowd, with everybody there. It was so emotional for me."
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