How David de Gea's Spain replacement stacks up as possible Manchester United successor

While many Manchester United fans will be looking further up the pitch with the transfers they hope to see in the summer, a key point of interest should be the ongoing saga between the sticks.

David de Gea’s contract is running out and negotiations look set to take some time to ensure all parties are happy. United are currently unwilling to activate a 12-month extension option they have due to the Spaniard's £375,000 per week wages - meaning they could be forced to look at new candidates to potentially replace him.

Earlier in the season, De Gea's spot in the team was under real scrutiny after dismal showings against the likes of Brentford, although he has used the rest of the campaign to silence his detractors for the moment. But it could be the Bees themselves who sting him once again.

READ MORE: United's next six Premier League fixtures compared with Spurs and rivals

Current goalkeeper David Raya has turned down two contract extensions to keep him at the west London club, and Brentford’s reported pursuit of Freiburg’s Mark Flekken may signal the waving of the white flag. It’s entirely possible that, if contract negotiations rumble on longer necessary, United could grow tempted to replace De Gea with someone who beat him to the Spain national squad for the Qatar World Cup.

It was the first time in eight years that United’s shot-stopper had missed out completely, highlighting the true potential Raya has to be a perfect fit. At a touted £40 million, according to current manager Thomas Frank, would it be smart business for the reds of Manchester?

Raya is 27, five years the junior of his Spanish compatriot, meaning there’s plenty of time for him to improve even further. He’s been one of the main reasons why Brentford