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Unemployed David de Gea makes huge transfer decision as ex-Man Utd star prepares to return following Newcastle interest
De Gea has been linked with a host of European clubs in recent months
DAVID DE GEA is focusing on staying in Spain while ending his football exile.
The former Manchester United keeper has had interest from the Premier League and Saudi Arabia since his Old Trafford deal ran out last summer.
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But sources close to the Spaniard, 33, believe he is willing to wait for a chance to play in LaLiga.
That could mean joining old club Atletico Madrid or even rivals Real as cover and taking his chance to impress.
De Gea is a free agent and could answer any emergency call outside of the transfer window.
He made 545 appearances for Man Utd during his 11 seasons at Old Trafford.
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In that time he won the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and two League Cups.
De Gea famously suffered a deadline day transfer collapse in 2015 when a fax machine scuppered a move to Real Madrid.
And he has been linked with a host of clubs since going on the market.
Most recently, it was revealed he declined a switch to Nottingham Forest in January.
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Five potential destinations for De Gea
So where could De Gea end up? Here are five possible moves for the Spaniard:
- Real Madrid: With Thibaut Courtois injured and loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga struggling to make an impact, De Gea could finally secure his dream move to the Bernabeu.
- Atletico Madrid: De Gea came through at Atletico and a return to the club could be a fitting final step in his career.
- Newcastle: Nick Pope's injury saw De Gea linked with a switch to St James' Park. And with deputy Martin Dubravka making a huge error against Bournemouth, manager Eddie Howe could be looking to dip into the market for another keeper.
- Man Utd: A return to Old Trafford was put to De Gea earlier this season when the club were searching for a replacement while Andre Onana was away at the Africa Cup of Nations. It may seem far-fetched, but could yet still materialise
- Saudi Arabia: De Gea has already turned down Al-Shabab, but that is not to say another lucrative offer from the Middle East would not tempt the Spaniard into re-considering a move.
He was also understood to be "close" to a move to Saudi side Al-Shabab.
Newcastle, Real Betis, Al-Nassr and Bayern Munich were other mooted destinations.
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Yet he remains a free agent heading into the second half of the season.
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