Man United approach World Cup star in search for De Gea replacement

The final two last 16 ties of the 2022 World Cup take place on Tuesday, with both Spain and Portugal in action. 

The first game sees Luis Enrique’s Spain side take on Morocco, who remain unbeaten at the tournament so far having beaten Belgium and drawn with Croatia in the group stages.

Later on, Portugal will face Switzerland in the final last 16 tie, with a quarter-final against either Spain or Morocco at stake.

There has been plenty of rumours that Cristiano Ronaldo will be dropped for the game, with Portugal manager Fernando Santos having admitted he was ‘deeply unhappy’ with the 37-year-old’s actions when he was substituted against South Korea, The Guardian reports.

The ex-Manchester United man appeared to put his finger to his lips as he departed the field, and Santos has since refused to confirm whether or not the star will start the game against Switzerland.

If he does, he may be facing a soon-to-be Manchester United star.

According to Bild via The Mirror, The Red Devils have opened talks with Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer about a potential move.

The Premier League side are looking for potential replacements for veteran ‘keeper David de Gea, and their search has apparently lead them to Sommer.

Sommer is currently on international duty with Switzerland at the World Cup

Sommer, 33, has established himself as one of the world’s best ‘keepers, impressing for current side Borussia Monchengladbach over the past eight years.

The report states that United have made contact with Sommer for the second time having originally approached the player over the summer.

They were unsuccessful in their initial pursuit and instead signed Martin Dubravka on loan from Newcastle United, but it appears that they have reignited their interest in the Switzerland international.

De Gea’s contract with United is set to expire next summer and it remains to be seen whether or not the Spaniard will extend his stay in Manchester.

Sommer is also set to be out of contract at the end of the current season, although United are reportedly considering a move during the upcoming January window.

The ex-Basel man’s reluctance to join United over the summer was largely based on the fact that he would have been De Gea’s understudy, which could have jeopardised his chances of playing at the World Cup, but with that no longer a worry he could make a move to Old Trafford as early as next month.

Sommer joined Monchengladbach from Basel back in 2014 and has since gone on to make more than 350 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

He played Switzerland’s first two group stage games at the World Cup, taking his international tally to 79 caps, before missing their game against Serbia through illness.

United’s other two ‘keepers, Dubravka and Tom Heaton, are also both set to leave the club next summer, so Erik ten Hag is therefore prioritising the signing of a new goalkeeper ahead of the summer.