Manchester United Opinion: Why Jan Oblak would be a top signing for United

According to a report from ESPN, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak is keen on a move to Manchester United this summer.

The Slovenian, 26, has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and signed a contract extension with Atletico in April which includes a €120 million buyout clause. The report claims he has become seemingly frustrated at Atletico’s transfer activity this summer, with stars like Antoine Griezmann, Diego Godin, Lucas Hernandez, Filipe Luis and Juanfran all departing.

French champions Paris Saint-Germain are also believed to be interested, but Jan Oblak, a boyhood Manchester United fan, favours a move to Old Trafford. That being said, should United make a move for the Slovenian international this summer?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have started their massive summer rebuild with the club announcing last week that Swansea City’s Daniel James has agreed on a deal in principle to join Manchester United after passing a medical. Now the United manager should shift his focus to reinforcing his backline that conceded over 50 goals in the 2018/19 campaign. And the changes must start right from the goalkeeping department, with David de Gea hesitant to sign a new deal at the club.

De Gea, 28, had a very poor season according to the high standards he has set in the last few years at Old Trafford. While the Spaniard is regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, his reputation took a hit last season after he made several high-profile errors. However, he has a year left on his current deal, but United have refused to meet the goalkeeper’s wage demands during contract negotiations.

The 28-year-old shot-stopper could run down his contract after the Red Devils triggered a one-year extension to his current deal to keep him at Old Trafford until next summer. However, Solskjaer and co. would be wise to cash in on one of the best goalkeepers in the world and by doing so, United must replace De Gea with Jan Oblak this summer.

Oblak has excelled for club and country in recent years and is one of the few stoppers who can be deemed in the same class as the man he would replace at Old Trafford. The 26-year-old would go a long way to solving United’s defensive issues, whilst being a better distributor than De Gea. In the Slovenian, Solskjaer would be signing someone with experience at the top level of European football and a lot of quality.

Verdict

United don’t have an urgency to reinforce the goalkeeping department, as there are other parts of the starting XI more desperate for improvement. If De Gea is sold, however, replacing the Spaniard with Oblak will be a step in the right direction.

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Oblak would not come cheap in any case and United would likely have to break the bank to sign him. Should that happen, it’ll be a statement of intent from Solskjaer’s Red Army.