After David de Gea rejected an offer from Man Utd to extend his contract, a report has claimed they are advancing their plans to replace him by identifying two new targets with one thing in common.

De Gea is due to become a free agent at the end of the season, although Man Utd want him to stay on a lower salary. Their first attempt to renew his terms was unsuccessful, though. Different outlets have suggested varying degrees of confidence over whether they will reach a compromise.

In the meantime, De Gea has been linked with a few potential escape routes. For example, there have been suggestions he could succeed Hugo Lloris at Tottenham Hotspur. Alternatively, he has been speculatively tipped to reunite with Jose Mourinho at Roma.

Now, a report in the Italian media has provided an update on De Gea’s future, indicating that Man Utd might be ready to move on from him.

Refusing to be held to ransom, the club are now being linked with several replacements. Two suggestions seem to be new links for 2023.

According to FC Inter News, Man Utd are looking at Andre Onana and Mike Maignan as new candidates, as well as existing targets Jordan Pickford and Diogo Costa.

Onana is currently in his debut season with Inter, while Maignan also calls San Siro his home ground since he is AC Milan’s number one.

Former Ajax goalkeeper Onana might have to be sacrificed by Inter as they aim to balance the books. With that in mind, the 26-year-old could become a gettable target for Man Utd.

TEAMtalk was told back in February that it is worth keeping an eye on Tottenham in the race for Onana. But now, Man Utd seem to have joined the race. Per FC Inter News, they will watch him in the upcoming Champions League clash against Benfica, when he will be trying to thwart another Man Utd target, the Portuguese side’s striker Goncalo Ramos.

The ex-Cameroon international has made 28 appearances for Inter so far, keeping clean sheets in half of them. His contract at San Siro is due to last until 2027.

Man Utd also mull over Maignan

Alternatively, Maignan is tied down with AC Milan until 2026. The 27-year-old is in his second season in Serie A, which he won last time out. This term, though, injuries have affected him, limiting him to 11 league appearances (with three clean sheets).

Either of them could become contenders to succeed De Gea, as is already the case for Everton’s Pickford and Porto’s Costa.

The fact that Man Utd have so many alternatives lined up may put some pressure on their current number one. De Gea might feel he has a strong negotiating position as their outright number one, but the club could argue differently if they can replace him.

All four candidates to take over from him are younger but established (even if Pickford is the only one to have played in the Premier League). Therefore, they could give Man Utd a method to evolve their goalkeeping department for the foreseeable future.

It would be a blow to De Gea, who has done well over the past couple of seasons. But there have been some questions about some aspects of his game.

Therefore, his position is far from guaranteed. After spending so long at Man Utd, he might be a tough act to follow, but the club are keeping their options open.

READ MORE: Man Utd blow three Premier League rivals away to emerge as ‘favourites’ in chase for dynamite La Liga star

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