Jan Oblak's Reps Reportedly Meet with Manchester United Amid David De Gea Talk

The agent for Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has reportedly held talks with Manchester United about a possible transfer.

According to Ciaran Kelly of the Manchester Evening News, the player's representative flew to Manchester for discussions, with the Red Devils said to be planning for life without David De Gea, who has been linked with an exit in the upcoming window. 

"MEN Sport understands the Slovenian's representative was in the UK this week for talks ahead of a potential move to Old Trafford in the summer," Kelly wrote.

As noted in the piece, De Gea has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid, with a transfer in the summer of 2015 collapsing in the final minutes of the window.

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However, it's suggested manager Jose Mourinho's criticism of the goalkeeper recently—the coach said he was "sleeping" during the 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion—has not sat well with De Gea.

Replacing a player of the Spaniard's stature and quality would be a huge test for the Old Trafford club if he did move on. But Oblak is one of the few goalkeepers in world football capable of doing so.

Here is a look at why so many believe he is the best stopper in the game at the moment:

The 24-year-old had a void to fill at Atletico when he arrived in 2014, with on-loan Thibaut Courtois heading back to Chelsea. Yet he's been just as steady a presence at the base of the team.

The Slovenia international has made rapid progress since joining from Benfica, as he's consistently kept Atleti in matches with his extraordinary work between the posts. Oblak is one of the best shot-stoppers in the game, but he is also so quick off his line and has showcased great generalship in the penalty area.

As WhoScored.com noted, Oblak has produced his best at the highest level, helping his team into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals once again:

According to Kelly, the Atletico man is a fluent English speaker, which would assist in any integration into the United setup. It's been suggested in the past Oblak would be keen to make the switch, too.

"I think for every player it is an honour to come to the UK and play for clubs like this one," a source close to the goalkeeper told the Manchester Evening News, per Kelly. "If De Gea goes back to Spain, everything is possible."

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It's added that United also hold an interest in AC Milan prodigy Gianluigi Donnarumma. Bleacher Report's Rob Blanchette would love to see the Red Devils land the 18-year-old:

Ideally, United would keep De Gea. The Spain international has been the team's most consistent performer in recent seasons and is one of a few genuine world-class players currently plying their trade in the Premier League. But it feels as though momentum is beginning to build behind a potential exit.

If Oblak is the man United have chosen as a possible replacement, he'd be a tremendous acquisition. Atletico are unlikely to want to part ways with one of the key men in their watertight defensive structure, though.

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