Manchester United Transfer News: Hugo Lloris Lined Up Amid David De Gea Rumours

Manchester United will reportedly move for Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris should the club cash in on David De Gea in this transfer window.

According to l’Equipe (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) the Red Devils have a plan in place if the Spaniard leaves for Real Madrid, which ends with the capture of the Spurs star. As noted by Eurosport.co.uk, the piece also suggests Lloris is “hopeful” De Gea does set off for the Spanish capital, so he can move to Old Trafford.

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Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell took a look at what business might be conducted by the Red Devils in the final embers of the window:

Losing De Gea at this late stage would be a big blow for United. The Spanish international was a critical component in their push for a top-four finish last season, so replicating his assurance, supreme shot-stopping and distribution skills at this point would be a very difficult challenge for Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal.

But Lloris would be a slick replacement. The Spurs star is well acquainted with the Premier League, is still young and, like De Gea, is a dynamic modern goalkeeper.

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The Red Devils could also get a ready-made replacement from Madrid, though. According to Marca (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Star) Van Gaal is considering asking Keylor Navas to be included as part of any deal for De Gea.

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe suggested earlier this summer that getting the Costa Rica international to Old Trafford would represent shrewd business on the part of the Red Devils:

Indeed, Navas has been one of the standout goalkeepers in La Liga for a while now, excelling at Levante before securing his move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2014. Here’s a look at why he’s so highly rated:

Navas’ performances at the World Cup proved he could thrive at the highest level too. But while there are no obvious weaknesses in his game, the Real Madrid man doesn’t quite possess the star quality of a player like Lloris. While that’s not always important, sating the Old Trafford faithful after any potential De Gea sale will require a big-name acquisition.

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Lloris definitely fits the bill in that sense, but if United want a top-class goalkeeper in place for the opening weeks of the season, he may not be the right candidate. The Frenchman has been injured throughout pre-season, but Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed he may be back sooner than expected, per Ben Dinnery of ESPN FC:

Even so, there are few candidates out there better suited to filling the void left by De Gea. The 28-year-old still has plenty of years left at the top, has improved season after season in the Premier League and in the game's biggest competitions. But the amount quoted by Sanderson, £20.9 million, certainly won’t be enough to lure the ‘keeper away from White Hart Lane.

Spurs are notorious for getting full value for money when selling their players and it’ll be no different with Lloris, who has blossomed into one of their most significant components. But to replace De Gea appropriately United will have to spend big money; with that in mind, cashing in on the Spaniard now and using the fee to fund a bid for the Frenchman could be the best course of action.