ACF Fiorentina plan another approach to sign David de Gea – Man United News And Transfer News

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AFC Fiorentina have “not given up” on David de Gea and are planning another approach to sign the former Manchester United goalkeeper, according to a report from Italy.

Alfredo Pedulla, an Italian football expert, reveals the Serie A side will make “new contacts” with De Gea’s representatives as they seek to convince the Spaniard to relocate to Florence.

De Gea has been without a club since departing Old Trafford at the end of the 2022/23 season after twelves years in Manchester.

The elite shot stopper joined as a skinny 20-year-old from Atletico Madrid to replace the legendary Edwin van der Sar, De Gea was thrown in the metaphorical and literal deep end in goal in the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson persisted with the young Spaniard, despite his early struggles to adapt to the rigours of English football, and, as is often with the Scottish manager’s judgements, it paid off handsomely.

De Gea would go on to establish himself as one of the elite goalkeepers in the world at United. His peak undoubtedly came during Jose Mourinho’s reign at Old Trafford, with the Portuguese coach describing him as the “best in the world“.

However, the 33-year-old’s game has always revolved around his abilities with his hands, not his feet. And the evolution of modern football has seen elite manager’s place huge emphasis on a goalkeeper’s ability to play out from the back as a key attribute within their philosophies.

As such, the arrival of Erik ten Hag to Manchester in 2022 was the beginning of the end for De Gea’s time at the club, given the Dutch manager’s preference for a ball playing goalkeeper. De Gea’s contract was allowed to run down the following summer with Andre Onana – the Inter Milan goalkeeper who previously played under Ten Hag at Ajax – signed to replace the 33-year-old.

Since this point, De Gea has remained in the free agency market, despite offers from Saudi Arabia, America and Italy. At one point it was reported the goalkeeper was considering retirement. 

However, earlier this month, Serie A side Genoa emerged as a contender to sign the Spaniard, but this did move materialised into nothing. Fellow Italian side Fiorentina were then reported to be interested in signing the goalkeeper as they reached out to his representatives to discuss a deal.

Pedulla contends De Gea would “very much like” the possibility of playing in Serie A. Italy is the last of the ‘big three’ European leagues the goalkeeper has yet to sample, having already played in the Premier League and La Liga.

The Italian football expert does reveal De Gea has “another couple of proposals”, however, suggesting La Viola officials will have to move decisively if they are to close a deal to sign the former United star.

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