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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

Man Utd looking to beat Liverpool to transfer of long-term David de Gea replacement

Manchester United are keen on signing Anderlecht stopper Bart Verbruggen as Erik ten Hag tries to bolster his goalkeeping department this summer.

The Red Devils could be set to sign another keeper at the end of the season and the Netherlands youth international has emerged as a potential target. David de Gea is out of contract in the summer, and although United are in talks to strike a new deal, Ten Hag may well look for a long-term replacement.

De Gea, 32, is coming to the end of his 12th season at Old Trafford since his £18.9million move from Atletico Madrid in 2011. Earlier this month, the United No.1 was presented with an award for breaking the record for the most clean sheets in the Red Devils' history. He has now kept 183 shut outs in 528 matches.

However, Ten Hag is ready add another goalkeeper to his squad, with second-choice Jack Butland expected to return to Crystal Palace following the expiration of his loan in June. According to Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws, the United boss is interested in signing Verbruggen in the summer transfer window.

The 20-year-old has become Anderlecht's first-choice 'keeper since the World Cup and has since put in a number of excellent performances for the Belgian side. Verbruggen produced a sensational display for Anderlecht and kept a clean sheet against Villarreal as they booked their place in the quarter-final of the Europa Conference League.

Anderlecht were 1-0 winners in Spain on Thursday evening after a 1-1 draw in the first-leg, with the Purple and White now set to face AZ Alkmaar in the last-eight. It is a huge chance for Verbruggen to test himself in a high pressure scenario - something United have been used to this season.

Who should Man Utd sign this summer? Have your say in the comments below.

Bart Verbruggen has been linked with a move to Manchester United (Getty Images)

The Red Devils are on course to win all three cup competitions they have taken part in, having already lifted the Carabao Cup, while they are still in the FA Cup and Europa League. United are set to face Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday, while Ten Hag's side will take on Sevilla in Europe next month.

Verbruggen has kept six clean sheets in 16 first-team appearances since replacing Hendrik Van Crombrugge in the XI, but could be on the move in the summer. As per HLN, his performances have attracted attention from a host of top European clubs, including United and Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp may well dip in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer, although Alisson has been excellent and Caiomhim Kelleher has been a decent back-up. But with Verbruggen supposedly available for a cut-price of around €10million at the end of the season, he could be worth the gamble for the likes of Liverpool and United.

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