Juventus want to open contract talks with David de Gea early in the new year if his stand-off with Manchester United isn’t resolved. The Spanish international is out of contract next summer and the £350,000-a-week deal Manchester United have offered him remains un-signed. It has alerted Juventus bosses that they might be able to snatch De Gea for nothing, meaning that United will miss out on a large transfer fee. The Italian giants have made no secret that they would like De Gea, who has been locked in contract talks for well over a year, to replace current first-choice Wojciech Szczesny.

And, just as they did with Aaron Ramsey when his Arsenal deal was running down, they will look to open talks with De Gea and his advisors as soon as they can. Paris Saint-Germain are also long-term suitors but Juventus are the current favourites to land him if he leaves United. United appear to be resigned to the fact that De Gea could be off and have started to look for a replacement with long-term target Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak on their radar. De Gea came close to leaving United for Real Madrid back in 2015, only for a fax machine issue to stop the move in its tracks.

Juventus want David de Gea talks in January as Man Utd identify contract rebel's successor

Juventus want David de Gea talks in January as Man Utd identify contract rebel's successor

The Spanish giants have since prised Thibaut Courtois away from Chelsea to be their long-term No 1. However, De Gea’s stock remains high on the continent and Serie A’s dominant force are eager to take him to Italy. Fabio Paritici and co. have steadily built a side capable of challenging for Champions League glory. And De Gea might be the final piece of the puzzle as Juventus seek to win Europe’s biggest trophy for the first time since 1996.

Juventus want David de Gea talks in January as Man Utd identify contract rebel's successor