After a memorable period with Manchester United during which he made 545 appearances and achieved eight trophies, David de Gea became a free agent in the summer. It is somewhat unexpected that an athlete of his caliber is still unsigned to a club, even though his play has deteriorated in recent years.
David was an exceptional goalkeeper for Manchester United, he was rated as one of the top 3 goalkeepers for almost 2-3 years running, won many POFY awards for Manchester United, and was included in the FIFPRO Best Xl squad in 2018.
🚨 David de Gea could be on his way to Saudi Arabia in January as Al-Ettifaq are said to be plotting a move for the goalkeeper.
(Source: Sun Sport) pic.twitter.com/PavFBKNVuG
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 28, 2023
However, last season Man Utd replaced him with Andre Onana as they felt a need for change in the Goalkeeper slot. This left David without any club for the 2023-24 season. Now, according to various reports given that Al-Ettifaq is rumored to be planning a bid for the goalkeeper, David de Gea may be traveling to Saudi Arabia in January which he previously was not fond of as he had declined a move to the league earlier.
El-Ettifaq is managed by former Liverpool player Steven Gerrard, he knows the EPL in and out and knows the quality that David possesses as a goalkeeper. Many teams are in the chase for his signature but Steven’s El-Ettifaq seems to be leading the race.
Al-Nassr will battle Al-Ettifaq for the signature of David de Gea
Currently led by soccer great Steven Gerrard, Al Ettifaq is ranked sixth in the Saudi Pro League. The team has shown a strong desire to add De Gea to their roster during the upcoming winter transfer window in 2023. They hope that having a seasoned goalie like David de Gea will significantly improve their league standing.
In 2018, Gerrard said this about David to BT Sport, “He makes difficult shots look really easy, which is what world-class keepers do. I don’t really go off the stats or the graphs, I go off my eyes. You can look at them and change them and twist them whatever way you want. He probably is the best keeper in the world at this present time.”
📊 Stats: David de Gea has now kept more Premier League clean sheets (133) than any #mufc goalkeeper ever. [@StatmanDave] pic.twitter.com/4loCKnrTxX
— centredevils. (@centredevils) September 1, 2022
Also, De Gea has drawn interest from other Saudi Arabian clubs before Al Ettifaq. Earlier, De Gea’s transfer to Al Nassr, another Saudi Arabian club, fell through due to his wife’s reluctance to move to the Middle East. They allegedly offered the Spanish goalie a staggering 500,000 pounds ($633,992) per week in wages, which he rejected.
But with rumors flaring up of a potential move to the Saudi-Pro_League, and the January transfer window edging near, Al-Nassr will look to battle it out with Al-Ettifaq for De Gea’s signature. It remains to be seen who comes out on top if De Gea is ready to move to the Middle East.