Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel has reportedly decided against signing David De Gea this summer, despite the Bundesliga champions having limited options in their goalkeeping department.
The 32-year-old is currently a free agent following his departure from Manchester United after 12 years at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag's men failing to extend his stay at the club.
De Gea won the Premier League Golden Glove award last term as he kept 17 clean sheets in 38 league appearances, however high-profile errors were spread throughout the campaign for the shot-stopper.
After making the switch from La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid in June 2011, the Spaniard played 545 times for the Red Devils, helping the club to a single Premier League title.
According to Sky Deutschland, De Gea will not be linking up with Bayern Munich for the 2023-24 term, after head coach Tuchel vetoed a move for the goalkeeper.
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The report claims that the Bundesliga champions and the player's representatives had met for initial talks, with the keeper himself in favour of a move to the Allianz Arena.
It is understood that De Gea's wages would have been a potential stumbling block in the deal, as the 45-time Spain international was earning a staggering £375,000 per week at Man United last season.
Bayern's search for a shot-stopper this summer has been well documented, with Tuchel's men currently light on options between the sticks as their new league campaign kicks off on Friday night.
Switzerland international Yann Sommer departed the Bavarian giants to join Serie A outfit Inter Milan earlier this month, allowing Andre Onana to join Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
That transfer, coupled with the unavailability of Manuel Neuer due to a broken leg, means that 35-year-old Sven Ulreich is poised to start Bayern's Bundesliga opener at Werder Bremen this weekend.
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Despite this, Tuchel has reportedly halted his side's interest in De Gea, with the former Chelsea boss claiming this week that the World Cup winner Neuer will return to first-team training in the next few weeks.
An injury to Thibaut Courtois in pre-season is said to have had Real Madrid keen on the former Man United stopper, however Los Blancos have since moved to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
It has also been suggested that a host of Saudi Pro League clubs are interested in bringing De Gea to the Middle East, although it remains to be seen whether the keeper wishes to take his career outside of Europe.
Tuchel is likely to hand a Bundesliga debut to Harry Kane when Bayern travel to Werder Bremen on Friday night, looking to make amends for a poor showing in the German Super Cup against RB Leipzig last Saturday.
Carter White
