Spanish powerhouse set to sign former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea

Barcelona is considering offering a deal to free agency custodian David de Gea, based on a reliable source. De Gea is still without a club, having departed Manchester United this past summer after his contract ended. He had originally agreed to terms on a new contract at Old Trafford before the club attempted to offer him a lower-wage contract, prompting the Spaniard to resign following 12 years of service.

The 33-year-old is still without a club; his most recent competitive appearance was in United's 2-1 FA Cup final loss to neighbours Manchester City in June, in which he was criticised for both goals conceded. However, Catalan website Mundo Deportivo reports that he might shortly return to football alongside Barcelona.

La Blaugrana remain tight on funds - they paid only €3.4 million in transfer fees this past season, whereas their €40 million winter investment was fully spent on Brazilian attacker Vitor Roque - yet they see De Gea's free transfer as a cost-effective way to reinforce their goalkeeping department.

Current regular goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is being rumoured with a switch to the Saudi Pro League in the past few weeks, whereas backup Inaki Pena has performed well this season and may also be considered for a transfer.

Will David de Gea join FC Barcelona next season?

At this point, De Gea is more likely to act as Ter Stegen's understudy, with Barcelona unwilling to transfer the Germany international. De Gea was in talks with Barcelona's rivals Real Madrid last summer when Thibaut Courtois sustained an ACL injury, but they decided to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea alternatively.

Bayern Munich was also looking for a backup custodian and evaluated De Gea before settling on Israeli international Daniel Peretz. During the January transfer window, both Nottingham Forest and Saudi Pro League team Al Shabab expressed interest in signing De Gea, but no deals were made where made between the two parties.