When David de Gea was forced out of Old Trafford in July 2023, many believed his career at the top level of football was over.
Fast-forward two years, and the Spaniard’s name is back on the lips of Europe’s top clubs.
In his 12-year stint at Manchester United, De Gea rose up from a fragile youngster to one of the world’s best goalkeepers.
But towards the end of his reign as Man United’s number one, the unwavering support he once had amongst the Red Devils fanbase was severely depleted.
ACF Fiorentina v Real Betis Balompie - UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg
Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images
The departure of the Premier League great represented the ideological shift in football towards a ball-playing goalkeeper ahead of a shot-stopper, which De Gea was so renowned for.
But despite this, after a year out of football, Italian side Fiorentina took a punt on the then 33-year-old.
In just a matter of months, the Spaniard has re-lit the spark in his career, producing some of his old magic in La Viola purple.
Such rich form has helped guide Fiorentina to sixth in Serie A, just missing out on a spot in the UEFA Conference League final after a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Antony’s Real Betis side.
So, after such a good first year in Italy, it’s no surprise that the spotlight is back on the veteran goalkeeper, with one Champions League giant taking particular notice.
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AS Monaco interested in David de Gea
According to Fabrizio Romano, French side AS Monaco have the former United goalkeeper on their shortlist.
Monaco finished third in Ligue 1, securing a spot in next season’s illustrious UEFA Champions League but their campaign wasn’t as successful as hoped, dropping one place in the league and facing an early bath in Europe after a knock-out defeat to Benfica.
In the midst of this was a goalkeeping crisis which saw neither Radoslaw Majecki nor Philipp
Köhn able to nail down the number one spot. Majecki made 15 Ligue 1 appearances, keeping just three clean sheets, while Köhn mustered up 19 appearances and eight clean sheets.
With neither able to convince between the sticks, Monaco have looked west to Italy and De Gea.
De Gea could thrive in Ligue 1
Monaco is a country known for their fancy restaurants and cars, but a different type of Rolls-Royce could arrive. De Gea, while not the perfect ball-playing goalkeeper, is still undoubtedly one of the best shot-stoppers in the world.
League stats this season David de Gea RadoslawMajecki PhilippKöhn
Matches played 35 15 19
Clean sheets 11 3 8
Save percentage 72.6% 71.8% 68.7%
Goals against per 90 1.09 1.57 1.05
Credit: Sofascore
His ludicrous ability to make impossible saves could make a huge difference in an unsettled Monaco backline.
This consistency might push manager Adi Hütter and his Monaco side to make a move for the Spanish goalkeeper.