Newcastle United are ready for a major squad rebuild this summer, and Eddie Howe has identified a former Manchester United star as someone who can help him to do that.
The Magpies sit 14th in the Premier League and are set to miss out on European football entirely for next season as a result, leaving them needing to make changes to their squad, with an acceptance that some first-team stars could be set to leave the club.
But Howe is also keen to add fresh blood to the side, and the goalkeeping department has remained a problem position for him in recent seasons, leading to a more experienced name emerging as a target for the role.
Newcastle Eye Surprise De Gea Deal
David de Gea in action for Fiorentina at Old Trafford
According to a report by Alan Nixon, writing on his Patreon, Newcastle are prepared to make a check on Man Utd legend David De Gea about a potential summer move back to the Premier League.
The Spaniard left Old Trafford in 2023 on a free transfer and spent a year out of the game without a club, before joining Fiorentina in Serie A. After initially joining on a one-year deal, De Gea signed an extension last summer until 2028 and now wears the captain's armband in Florence, helping the team to the Europa Conference League quarter-finals this season.
However, Newcastle are prepared to make contact to find out if the veteran shot-stopper, who has been described as a 'world-class monster', would be open to returning to the Premier League to test himself at the highest level once again.
Aaron Ramsdale is not expected to stay at the club once his loan deal from Southampton expires, while Nick Pope has been displaced as the number one in recent months, leaving his future at the club uncertain too. Newcastle have now put De Gea on their shortlist of options as a result.
De Gea Could Be Shrewd Business
David De Gea Fiorentina
David De Gea Fiorentina
A Premier League winner and a record-breaking goalkeeper, De Gea is one of the best the division has seen, but it's fair to say he is past his absolute best and that is why Man Utd let him go.
But it's also fair to say that the 35-year-old would be an upgrade on current goalkeeper options at the club, and if a deal could be done it would be shrewd business. He knows the league well, he would bring unbelievable experience and leadership qualities, and likely wouldn't be too expensive.
It's unlikely that he would be the first choice, with James Trafford a long-term target, but if Newcastle can get a deal done then it could turn out to be one of the best deals they've done in a long time.
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He is expected to be in demand for Premier League clubs this summer