Man United transfer news: Red Devils make 'hush-hush' checks over sensational return for Premier League winner

Manchester United have reportedly made discreet checks over a sensational Old Trafford return for Fiorentina goalkeeper David De Gea.

The Red Devils appear to be open to the prospect of signing a new goalkeeper this summer due to the uncertainty surrounding Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir's situations at the club.

Onana has seen his number one spot called into question after making a number of high-profile errors since arriving from Inter Milan in 2023.

Meanwhile, there has been a suggestion that Altay Bayindir could look for a move away to gain regular playing time.

Man United exploring De Gea return

Man United have been linked with a number of goalkeeper targets this summer, including a potential move for Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Senne Lammens.

However, they now appear to be exploring the possibility of bringing a familiar face back to the club before the transfer window shuts on September 1.

According to The Sun, Man United have made 'hush-hush' checks about a surprise return for Fiorentina's De Gea.

They are exploring the conditions of a move after De Gea made a 'good impression' on his recent return to Old Trafford for Fiorentina's pre-season friendly against Man United.

The Spaniard is under contract with the Italian side until at least the summer of 2028, but Man United have been tipped off that he has a 'relatively small' release clause in his deal.

Should Man United re-sign De Gea?

De Gea spent a year without a club after leaving Man United when his contract expired at the end of the 2022-23 season.

The 34-year-old eventually resumed his career with Fiorentina last summer, going on to record 11 clean sheets in 42 competitive matches in the 2024-25 campaign.

De Gea has a strong attachment to Man United after featuring in 545 matches across all competitions during his 12-year stay at the club.

The experienced shot-stopper won eight trophies in his time as a Man United player, including the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.

However, De Gea's performance levels dropped off in the latter stages of his Man United career, so it would be surprising to see the club make a concrete effort to re-sign him this summer.

De Gea would be a strong second-choice goalkeeper due to his wealth of experience, but he would surely be unwilling to give up regular playing time at Fiorentina for a squad role at Man United.

If they decide to sign a new goalkeeper, the Red Devils should be focusing on recruiting someone who has the attributes to become the club's new long-term number one.