Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea could reportedly be set for a shock Premier League return in January.
The Spaniard left Old Trafford following the expiration of his contract at the end of June 2023. His departure brought an end to a more-than-decade-long association with the club, where he had been one of the longest-serving players alongside defender Phil Jones.
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Despite being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, De Gea is believed to have rejected an offer to join his former teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Alex Telles at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
After almost six months without a club, reports suggest that the shot-stopper could now make a surprise return to the English top flight, to one of United's rivals.
According to The Telegraph, De Gea is open to joining Newcastle United in the January transfer window.
The report further claims that following Nick Pope's shoulder injury, Magpies boss Eddie How has his eye on the transfer market for a potential replacement.
With the Geordies having seven matches scheduled for December, however, it is also stated that the manager wants to see how back-up goalkeeper Martin Dubravka copes during the frenetic period before pulling the trigger on signing a new goalkeeper in January.
Former Red Devils star Lee Sharpe, meanwhile, believes United may have made a mistake in replacing De Gea with Andre Onana.
"It's certainly looking like an error now. It was a bit weird the way they shuffled De Gea the door – I know he made a couple of high-profile mistakes last season, but he was so consistent in the time that he was there," he told 888Sport.
"He would keep United in games and win them matches by himself, so it was a little bit disappointing the way they let him go. It's always a big risk bringing in someone who doesn't know the Premier League to be your first-choice goalkeeper.
"In hindsight, it may have been better to keep De Gea for another year and have Andre Onana as an understudy to let him get used to the atmosphere and expectations, because he's certainly costing the team points at the moment.
"It's hard as well when you're an outfield player and you're running your socks off trying to get a result, and the goalkeeper is throwing away goals every now and again. It makes it very frustrating and very difficult.
"He's a big character, so let's hope the mistakes calm down, and he learns from this and uses it as experience."
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