Manchester United Transfers: Who Will Be David De Gea's Replacement?

David de Gea’s move to Real Madrid seems to be closer to reality with each passing day. Spanish newspaper Marca recently reported that De Gea has already made rounds bidding goodbye to colleagues and staff at Old Trafford.

While the Madrid native makes his way back home, Louis van Gaal and his staff will be left with the sour task of replacing the Spanish international.

De Gea arrived in Manchester in 2011 and helped Manchester United achieve Premier League glory in 2012-13 as well as to 2011 and 2013 FA Community Shield titles.

Here are the most likely candidates to fill de Gea’s shoes at Old Trafford:

1. Fernando Muslera, Galatasaray

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The 28-year-old Uruguayan keeper is as battle-tested as goalkeepers come. Muslera has vast international experience, with more than 60 caps for Uruguay under his belt.

He has held his own as Uruguay’s starting keeper since the end of 2009, and he defended the South American squad’s net in two FIFA World Cups.

Muslera’s first trip to the big stage was a memorable one.

He was flawless for all the way up to their semi-final encounter with the Netherlands. The highlight of that campaign was Muslera’s heroic performance during the quarter-final penalty shootout against Ghana, where the keeper saved two penalties.

The Uruguayan followed the 2010 campaign with a 2011 Copa America title. His nation’s first since 1995.

His club resume is also impressive. During his time at Lazio, Muslera helped the Italian club to a Coppa Italia in 2009 and a Supercoppa Italiana in 2009.

Nevertheless, he acquired most of his silverware during his Galatasaray days. Muslera has been with the Turkish side since 2011 and has never failed to lift his team to national glory.

In four seasons with Galatasaray, the goalkeeper tallied three Super Lig titles, two Turkiye Kupasi (Turkish Cup) and a pair of TFF Super Kupa (Turkish Super Cup) trophies.

Arsene Wenger also has Arsenal on the prowl for the Uruguay international, according to a report from the International Business Times' Pradhan Muthanna. Regardless of where Muslera lands, Muthanna reports that a fee of at least £15 million would be necessary to persuade Galatasaray to consider parting ways with the keeper.

2. Hugo Lloris, Tottenham Hotspur

Fabrizio Giovannozzi/Associated Press

With Tottenham once again failing to qualify to the Champions League, the rumors of Lloris leaving White Hart Lane are running on full steam.

According to an ESPN FC report, Lloris is on “stand-by” with United.

The French international is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in Europe today and should be playing in a Champions League squad.

Lloris has led France in two World Cups. He started out with a disappointing campaign in South Africa, which ended up with the French side getting knocked out in the group stage.

Nevertheless, their 2014 campaign was a solid one. Lloris and his squad got knocked out in a tight 1-0 quarter-finals loss to Germany.

The keeper has admitted he would be open to a move away from White Hart Lane, the Daily Star's Jeremy Cross reported:

"

You should never say never, but my ideas are clear in my head, they are the same that I have had for the last 16-17 years.

Who knows what will happen, though. There is one important thing - at one moment I have to think about myself, to ask myself questions and reflect.

"

Cross went on to write that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy claimed Lloris is not for sale, however, Levy would listen to an offer of around £35 million.

3. Petr Cech, Chelsea

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Petr Cech needs no introductions.

The longtime Chelsea goalkeeper has been a symbol of the Blues’ greatness for more than a decade. However, the arrival of Thibaut Courtois in Stamford Bridge has put the Czech goalkeeper in a difficult position.

At 33 years old, Cech does not seem happy with the backup role Jose Mourinho assigned him to, and a move to another club seems to be the only option left for him, since Courtois is not going anywhere after an amazing 2014-15 season.

Now the question is where Cech will go. According to Goal.com’s Greg Stobard, Cech wants to keep his family in London. If the keeper gets his wishes, his most likely future will be to play under Wenger for Arsenal.

The report also states that whoever is to sign the goalkeeper would have to unload €20 million.

Mourinho didn’t waste time to go public and claim he does not want Cech playing for another English club, the Daily Star reported:

"

If it was me, if it was my decision, the decision is Petr to stay. That's it. It would be my decision for Petr to stay. Even against his will? Yes.

For me, decision number one, Petr will stay. After that, second point, to go but not in England. The option I don't want is for him to go to an English club.

But, I repeat, I am just the manager and he means so much for this club and what he did in this club, I think he deserves everything from this club. If the club decision is different to mine I will accept it.

"

Cech is set to make his decision after coming back from international duty against Iceland, per the Daily Mirror (h/t CaughtOffside.com).

"I will fly back now and join the national team. Then when the season is over I will weigh up my options and decide," Cech said, when asked whether he had played his last match for Chelsea during their postseason tour. "I won’t think about it now. When the decision is made I will tell you.