Manchester United are planning to make a sizeable bid for Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois if Sheikh Jassim becomes the club’s next owner, according to Defensa Central.

The Spanish rumour mongers claim that the Nine Two Foundation would be prepared to finance an €80m (£69m) “offer” for the Belgian international.

Courtois would also be handed a €20m a year (£330,000 a week) contract if the former Chelsea shot-stopper agrees to a switch to Old Trafford.

However, while Defensa Central claim Real could be tempted into selling the 31-year-old, the player is not said to be considering leaving the La Liga side at this time.

United will be pursuing a new keeper

It’s probably wise that supporters treat this claim about Courtois with a great deal of caution, considering the source for the story, but Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is thought to be in the market for a new number one.

While it has been assumed for quite some time that David De Gea would sign a new contract, there is now just over a week to go before he becomes a free agent, and there is still no indication that he will put pen to paper on an extension.

Other options are being considered

Based on reports from the Italian media, it seems as if ten Hag’s preferred target would be Inter Milan’s Andre Onana. He has worked with the Cameroon international before at Ajax so it is not a surprise that the player is on United’s shortlist.

Inter are, however, expected to hold out for €60m (£51.6m) to sell their first choice keeper, and that figure would have to be negotiated down significantly for a deal to be done. The likes of Porto’s Diogo Costa and Brentford’s David Raya have been suggested as alternatives so we shall see which direction the club choose to go in.