Latest on Stekelenburg

Maarten Stekelenburg is just one of many goalkeepers who have been linked to Manchester United and Arsenal this season, with Ferguson still looking for his Edwin van der sar replacement, and Wenger apparently keen to find a strong, solid, experienced 'keeper for Arsenal. Ron Jansen, the Ajax player' agent however confirmed that there have been no bids for his client. 

"There's nothing going on at the moment. 

"There hasn't been any contact with Italian teams or with other foreign teams. With no team at all. Whether he prefers to move to a foreign league? I can't confirm anything at the moment."

"There's still the possibility that he'll sign a contract extension with Ajax, too."

David De Gea is still a possibility for United, though a transfer fee for the young Atheltico prospect would be significantly larger than that of Stekelenburg, which is perhaps why Arsenal are linked so prominently with the 28 year-old.

It seems far more likely that Stekelenburg will leave for Arsenal than to United, as the player has already effectively admitted that if Arsenal make a move, he will leave Ajax for them:

"If Arsenal make an offer, I will leave Holland."

Much depends on Arsene Wenger's eagerness to pay money for a new goalkeeper, and with various other sides such as Juventus circling Stekelenburg, there will be fierce competition come the summer. If the Dutchman dies decide to leave for Arsenal, it leaves United still hunting for a goalkeeper. Manuel Neuer is off the list, with him apparently adamant about joining Bayern Munich, while David De Gea is still very much undecided about his future, as he is reluctant to leave his boyhood club as he is settled nicely in Madrid.

De Gea has been told to "renew or leave" Athletico, and, as was reported on DBSFootball in April, United's back-up plan to De Gea is the Sporting Lisbon 23 year-old goalkeeper, Rui Patricio who has been watched by United's goalkeeping coach, Eric Steele.

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DBSFootball in association with: http://www.watch-football.tv/football/ - Live Football Streaming.

De Gea to "Renew or Leave" As United Scout Patricio

David de Gea, targeted by Manchester United to replace Edwin van der sar, and current Athletico Madrid number one has been told by his club that he will have two choices at the end of the season: to renew his Athletico contract, or leave for United.

The 20 year-old Spanish goalkeeper had met with Athletico club officials twice now to discuss his future, but no deal has been agreed, and with 3 years left on his deal, the Spanish club are getting agitated. The Madrid Chief Executive Angel Gil Marin said:

"We have met with him to negotiate a new deal on two occasions." 

"He has a contract with Atletico for three more seasons, so it is necessary to renew it and reasonable to revise his salary, which is well below his current performance. 

"But at the end of the season there will be two choices - to renew or to leave."

The Sky Sports journalist and compatriot of De Gea's, Guillem Balague has spoken about the decision being in De Gea's hands, but that the player is still undecided. He sees Manchester United as a great opportunity and a great leap forward of course, but is comfortable in his home country and may yet decide to commit to his boyhood club.

The latest reports are that, if Sir Alex Ferguson fails in his attempts to bring De Gea to Old Trafford, he will move for the Portuguese 23 year-old goalkeeper, Rui Patricio. The Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Europe, and it has been reported that former Sporting star Luis Nani has recommended the goalkeeper to Ferguson.

The Portuguese press stated that Ferguson sent his goalkeeping coach Eric Steele to Portugal over the week end to watch Patricio in action against FC Porto, and with a number of European clubs watching the player, Steele wasn't alone.

Patricio is not Portugal's number one choice goalkeeper, but he did win his debut against Spain, in the second half of a 4 - 0 win for Portugal on the 17th November 2010. If he joins United this summer, he will be fighting for one of the toughest number 1 spots to fill in Europe, with huge boots to fill when van der sar retires. A goalkeeper is certainly coming to United this summer, but it is up to David de Gea who that goalkeeper is: him, or United's insurance, Patricio.

DBSFootball in association with: http://www.watch-football.tv/football/ - Live Football Streaming.