Manchester United linked with Mike Maignan

Manchester United are interested in Lille’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan according to reports.

The Daily Mirror claims that United have spoken to French club Lille over the availability of their ‘keeper.

The 23-year-old stopper has been named in France’s squad for the 2020 European Championship qualifying games coming up in June, as a result of keeping 15 clean sheets in the league this season. Or, well, last season.

The French club, who finished second in Ligue 1, want 35 million euros for the player as United prepare for life without David de Gea.

De Gea is reluctant to sign pen to paper on a contract offered by United as they will not meet his £350,000-a-week demands, which have been spurred on by Alexis Sanchez’s huge wages which he has done little so far to justify.

The 28-year-old Spanish international’s contract ends after the 2019/20 season, meaning he will then be due to leave the club for nothing in a season. Bringing in Maignan now would allow United to sell off De Gea to raise some funds for his replacement, and indeed allow them to turn a profit on the position.

There is also a chance that United are willing to let De Gea go for nothing at the end of the season, and bringing in a younger goalkeeper now would allow for a smoother transition between the sticks.

There have also been rumours that United are interested in Jasper Cillessen, Barcelona’s second-choice goalkeeper. As Barcelona have limited funds for transfers of their own, there may be a chance that they will accept a lowball bid in order to secure his signature.