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For every major club, there are potentially legendary players that the club would not want to part ways with. Chelsea has Eden Hazard, Liverpool currently has Mohammed Salah, Manchester City has Sergio Aguero and Barcelona has Lionel Messi.
However, as much as a club would want to keep its player, circumstances change and bring out other threatening possibilities for which the club has to be prepared and look elsewhere for replacements.
Manchester United's David De Gea has been at the pinnacle of English football as a goalkeeper for several seasons now and his tenure at Manchester United is about to reach 8 long years.
However, he is one of the ten players at the club currently who's contract will run out in the summer unless he signs an extension. The Spaniard recently exclaimed that his attention is on winning the games as a team and not on contracts or on topics that can serve as a distraction.
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For people who know De Gea, it can be taken as a genuine statement of intent to win games but the rumour mill has it that the Spaniard is intrigued by the attraction from Italian giants Juventus and if the contract extension does not happen, he can even leave for free.
Amidst all of this cloudy surroundings, Manchester United need to look for replacements irrespective of what happens and here are the five realistic targets they can focus on in preparing for a life without De Gea.
#5 Jan Oblak
Hailed by the Spanish pundits as the one edging closer and closer to David De Gea in terms of quality and touted as the second-best goalkeeper in the world, Jan Oblak has cemented his place at Atletico Madrid and his rise has been absolutely exceptional.
Commanding in the air and blessed with superb reflexes, there's no doubt that he's caught the attention of the world. When the rumours gathered strength last year itself, it was reported that Manchester United representatives are having an eye on Oblak but eventually it was left unattended to.
This year, however, the news has been strong yet again. Atletico Madrid will be in no compulsion to sell but the release clause stands at a reported £87 million. In the four seasons where he's started for Atletico Madrid, the Slovenian has kept over 70 clean-sheets in the LaLiga itself, acting as a strong pillar behind the highly rated defence.
Along with it comes the Champions League experience where he's put in some great shifts as well. At the age of 25, he's peaked at the right time and without a doubt, he's a realistic replacement in case things go awry with David De Gea.
#4 Jordan Pickford
It is important of course to point out that Jordan Pickford signed a new contract at Everton, extending it till 2024 but as it is often the case, when the giants come knocking at the door, contracts often crumble at the financial luring and they only tend to increase the value of the deal rather than extending the stay of the player.
Ever since he announced his potential to England with stellar performances wearing the Sunderland jersey, clubs were bound to keep an eye on him. In a heavy spending summer where Everton looked to turn the tide of their recruitment, Pickford was identified and signed for a great fee of €28.5 million and since then he's been one of the best players for the club.
Blessed with a terrific vision for distribution and a strong hand for reflexes and strength based saves, the Englishman isn't shy of showing off his flying skills. His ball playing ability and the relentless composure that he shows are qualities that any top club would happily spend for.
There's no release clause as such but Manchester United can swoop in on him for a pretty hefty bid. If looked at how Chelsea and Liverpool spent on their keepers Kepa and Alisson respectively, it may be deemed that United would have to do the same in the current market.
#3 Jack Butland
As tears rolled down the cheeks of Jack Butland after Stoke City got relegated last season, many fans thought he would depart and make it into one of the good clubs of England but that did not happen as the loyalty stricken keeper stayed on to play under Gary Rowett.
Even though he's stayed at the club he loves, Butland's potential and talent cannot be overlooked. He was sensational before he suffered an injury and he's getting those shades of consistency back yet again.
He's started 15 games in the Championship and Stoke find themselves in a mediocre position but he's put in shifts and has been injury free. He's kept 5 clean-sheets, made 138 recoveries and managed 14 saves.
His concentration level has been amazing just as his ability to play the ball forward through long-passes. Butland's current market value is €22 million but the demands of Stoke might raise the value up. He's one more realistic target that United can consider.
#2 Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma' saga with AC Milan has been like a couple eyeing for divorce but just at the time of moving away, the reconciliation process happened. He has signed a new contract at Milan last year but it still looks as if a top club can definitely lure him in the future.
Manchester United's gap if De Gea leaves will be a gaping hole that needs to be filled and given the healthy relationship that Mino Raiola, his agent, has with other players serving at Manchester United, there's no denying that he can lure the United hierarchy to pay attention and he can motivate Donnarumma to move as well.
He's been good for Italy and decent for Milan this year and one of his top qualities includes the command he has and his ability to punch the ball at the time of danger but concentration is a slightly weak area that he needs to focus on. There is talent in him and if United want him badly, they stand a good chance of getting him.
#1 Joel Pereira
"I think he will be the best Portuguese goalkeeper of the next generation" is what Jose Mourinho had to say regarding Joel Pereira when he was asked about the goalkeepers of Manchester United.
Ever since he was played at Wigan, it is rumoured that Jose wants to mould Pereira well before he gets his chances and United are looking at him to replace David De Gea slowly in case of a need.
He played a heavy part in the pre-season and got a lot of minutes under his belt in America and during the summer transfer window, the club sanctioned a loan move for him, a move that will help him gain experience.
United have kept Sergio Romero indeed and the Argentine is a very healthy, experienced backup but once Pereira rises amongst the ranks, there's a real sense of belief that he will be eased into the team eventually replacing Romero as well.
Playing for Vitoria Setubal, his playing time is being monitored and he's doing great with his reflexes and shot-stopping ability. Only time will tell whether he will grow into the player that everyone is expecting but he is a realistic long-term replacement for the Spaniard.
