Recent reports have surfaced revealing that David De Gea turned down an opportunity to return to Premier League action during the January transfer window.
The veteran Spanish goalkeeper, who departed Manchester United last summer following a remarkable 12-year spell at Old Trafford, remains without a club and continues to weigh his options carefully.
While there have been consistent links connecting him with a potential move to Saudi Arabia, De Gea has yet to finalize any deal with a club in the Middle East or elsewhere.
During the most recent transfer window, Nottingham Forest made an attempt to lure De Gea back into English football.
Forest, who were in search of an experienced and reliable shot-stopper to address their goalkeeping uncertainties, approached De Gea with a short-term contract proposal.
The idea was to bring him in temporarily for the remainder of the season, allowing him to play regular first-team football while helping Forest stabilize their position in the league.
Despite the offer, the 33-year-old declined Nottingham Forest’s proposal.
Reports suggest that De Gea was not interested in taking on a short-term role at this stage of his career.
Instead, he is believed to be seeking a more stable, long-term project that aligns better with his personal and professional ambitions.
The Spaniard appears to prefer joining a club that offers both security and a meaningful role, rather than acting as a temporary solution.
In their search for a new goalkeeper, Nottingham Forest also turned their attention toward Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale, who had lost his starting spot to David Raya at the Emirates Stadium, became an option for Forest during their recruitment efforts.
However, these talks did not result in an agreement, and Forest eventually shifted their focus elsewhere.
On deadline day, Forest secured the services of Matz Sels from French side Strasbourg.
The Belgian goalkeeper was signed for a fee of approximately £5.1 million and agreed to a three-and-a-half-year deal.
With the addition of Sels, Forest now have multiple goalkeeping options at their disposal, including Matt Turner, Wayne Hennessey, and Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Meanwhile, David De Gea remains a free agent as of June 2025. His status allows him to sign with a new club at any time since free agents are not restricted by transfer window deadlines.
There continue to be rumors linking him to various destinations, including potential moves to Saudi Arabia, Major League Soccer in the United States, and even a possible return to Spain’s La Liga.
Additionally, speculation persists regarding a shock return to Manchester United, where INEOS’ leadership is reportedly interested in bringing back experienced figures to support the club’s ongoing rebuild and mentor younger talents.
At this stage, De Gea is said to be exercising patience, carefully evaluating offers in hopes of finding the right fit both competitively and personally.
His experience, pedigree, and leadership make him an attractive prospect for clubs aiming to bolster their goalkeeping department.
