SUMMARY
- David de Gea has been without a club since leaving Manchester United.
- The Spanish goalkeeper has been in talks with Al-Shabab for a potential move.
David de Gea is still a free agent as the winter transfer window edges closer to its end. The Spanish goalkeeper has been without a club since leaving Manchester United in the summer of 2023. As a potential transfer, Al-Shabab has emerged as a potential destination for the goalkeeper.
Daily Mail reported that the Spanish goalkeeper has been in talks with Al-Shabab for a potential move to the Saudi Pro League. The keeper has been linked with many clubs in the SPL since last year, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. However, Al-Shabab currently leads the race to sign the 33-year-old keeper.
David de Gea’s talks are progressing with Al-Shabab
Al-Shabab is currently 11th in the Saudi Pro League. The Riyadh-based club has been struggling this season, with only 21 points from 19 games. They finished fourth in the league last season but have failed to replicate the same form this season.
🚨🇸🇦 David de Gea has agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab. De Gea has been without a club since he left Manchester United in July 2023. #MUFC [@3eanalshabab] pic.twitter.com/R6pmvnNtNH
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) January 27, 2024
The Saudi club is trying to improve their defensive back line by bringing in the Spanish goalkeeper. David de Gea kept the most clean sheet in the Premier League in his last season with Manchester United. He won the Golden Glove for his efforts with the English club. A dispute with Erik ten Hag resulted in him being replaced by Andre Onana at the start of the 2023/24 season.
David De Gea was linked with Newcastle United and Manchester United
Al-Shabab isn’t the first club that has come close to signing the Spanish goalkeeper. The former Manchester United keeper was close to resigning from the English club after the recent struggles of his replacement, Andre Onana.
🚨 Newcastle United are considering making a move for free agent, David de Gea following Nick Pope’s shoulder injury.
(Source: @MailSport) pic.twitter.com/3jwgAwK3CQ
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 4, 2023
David de Gea was also linked to Newcastle United to replace the injured Nick Pope. However, no move was materialized. Al-Nassr was also heavily linked with the keeper, but Cristiano Ronaldo and co. couldn’t pursue the keeper to move to Riyadh.
After numerous speculations and close calls, David de Gea has been without a club for the last six months. Al-Shabab might be the last call for the Spanish keeper. The Saudi club is currently on a winter break. They will be back in action in mid-February, which will give ample time for him to regain his fitness.