Manchester United make Oblak ‘first choice’ goalkeeping target in case of De Gea exit

Manchester United have made Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak their ‘first choice’ target, should David De Gea leave the club.

Current number one De Gea has been locked in contract negotiations with the club, with the Spaniard’s current deal set to expire next summer.

Talks have stalled over the terms on a new deal, with the 28-year-old reportedly demanding a deal worth in excess of £350,000-a-week which will see the Spain international become one of the club’s highest earning players.

With United currently unwilling to match those terms, the club face a decision on whether to sell De Gea this summer or face the prospect of losing the goalkeeper on a free in 12 months time.

De Gea has been liked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, and according to ESPN United have identified Slovenian international Oblak as a potential replacement for Spaniard.

The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the world’s finest goalkeepers during five years in the Spanish capital, though United believe signing the Atletico Madrid shot-stopper is feasible.

Should United firm their interest in Oblak, the fee would likely surpass the £71.6m world-record fee for a goalkeeper which took Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea last summer.