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David De Gea to Man United transfer return claim made as Carlos Baleba alternative emerges

The latest Manchester United transfer news and rumours amid updates on David De Gea and Carlos Baleba.

Amie is a football writer covering clubs across the country, she has been a football fan all of her life and supports Leicester City. She graduated with a degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology in 2015. Amie has previous experience in local radio in Leicester and Leicestershire.

David De Gea has been linked with a surprise return to Manchester United.

David De Gea has been linked with a surprise return to Manchester United.

(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Manchester United start their 2025/2026 Premier League season on Sunday afternoon as they take on Arsenal at Old Trafford (4.30pm).

The game could see three major summer arrivals make their competitive debut for Ruben Amorim's side. Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have all completed moves to Old Trafford this summer and will look to make an instant impact.

Despite the new campaign getting underway, there are still a couple of weeks of the transfer window remaining. Clubs have until 7pm on September 1 to complete their business.

It's no surprise then that there are more transfer stories around possible incomings and outgoings at United every day. With that in mind, The Manchester Evening News has taken a look at a couple of the latest and also given our own perspective on the situations;

De Gea return?

United are "making checks" on a possible shock return for David De Gea - according to Alan Nixon of The Sun.

The report says that the goalkeeper has a clause in his contract with Fiorentina that allows him to leave the club for a small sum. That's reckoned to have alerted United, who have some concerns over their goalkeeping options.

It's said that United may need either Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir to leave to free up wages.

However, a compromise could be found if a deal to bring De Gea back is cheap enough financially.

The Spaniard is said to be happy to be either first pick or to provide competition in the goalkeeping department, which is another positive for a move.

The Manchester Evening News says: As reported, Andre Onana expects to stay put at Old Trafford beyond this summer and signing a goalkeeper is not considered a priority by United.

However, if a deal is a cheap one to do, and De Gea is available at a low price, then it could be something that United consider with the Spaniard providing competition to Onana, who is only just returning from injury just in time for their season to start.

A return would be an emotional on for the club and the player, with De Gea admitting that he wouldn't play for any other English team.

Baleba alternative

United have identified Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton as a possible transfer alternative to Carlos Baleba this summer, according to talkSPORT.

The report says that United are now "weighing up" whether to try and test Palace's resolve by making a bid.

United have, effectively, walked away from a potential deal for Baleba this summer - after being told by Brighton that he's not for sale. But hope remains on his signature moving forward.

United are said to be long-term admirers of Wharton, who's helped Palace win both the FA Cup and Community Shield in the last few months.

The Manchester Evening News says: Wharton would be an ideal signing for United this summer - but I can see a deal with Palace being very hard to do. The Eagles are likely to be reluctant to lose three of their key players in the same window.

Both Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi have been heavily linked with exits to Tottenham and Liverpool, respectively. United could, therefore, have their work cut out if they are to convince Palace to sell.

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