Former Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero is interested in a return to Old Trafford this summer, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The Argentine’s contract with relegated Serie A side expires today (30 June) and the former Reds stopper will be a free agent his summer.
The 35-year-old made 16 Serie A appearances upon his return to Italy, but after testing positive for Covid-19 and missing the last 11 games of the season after having knee surgery, Romero would have made far more appearances if he managed to retain his fitness.
With Dean Henderson close to sealing a season-long move to promoted side Nottingham Forest, Erik ten Hag is in the market for a back-up goalkeeper this summer.
With the Reds reportedly walking away from a deal to sign Watford and Austria goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, the familiarity and ease of securing a quick return with Romero could appeal to the former Ajax manager.
The 96-time Argentina international made 61 appearances for the Red Devils across a six-year period having been signed by Louis van Gaal, who he played under at AZ Alkmaar, from Italian side Sampdoria in 2015.
Romero may have only made seven Premier League appearances, four of which came when David de Gea looked destined to join Real Madrid, but he was frequently given chances to impress in the club competitions, especially when Manchester United were in the Europa League.
Romero played 12 times, including the 2-0 win against Ajax in the final, during our Europa League success under Jose Mourinho in 2016-17.
United’s former number 22 also won the League Cup and FA Cup during his time in Manchester.
His last appearance for the Reds came in August 2020 against FC Copenhagen in the Europa League quarter-finals.
Romero had played nines in that year’s competition, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to restore De Gea ahead of the Argentine for the last-four defeat against Sevilla.
With Dean Henderson back at the Theatre of Dreams following his fruitful loan spells with Sheffield United, Romero was frozen out by the Norwegian and didn’t feature for the Reds once during the 2020-21 campaign.
After leaving on a free transfer last summer, Romero signed for Venezia in October, but a year after his departure from M16, the South America seems keen on a return to the twenty-time league champions.
With talk of a potential Romero return intensifying, United in Focus takes a look at the players Manchester United have previously re-signed.
After coming through the Manchester United academy and being sent out on loan to a flurry of different clubs, the three-time England international joined Cardiff City on a free transfer in 2010.
Following spells in the Championship with the Bluebirds and Bristol City, it was was with Burnley where Heaton established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the country.
Heaton spent six years at Turf Moor before joining Aston Villa where he would spend two seasons before returning to Old Trafford.
The 36-year-old finally made his first-team debut for Manchester United when he came off the bench in the Champions League group stage clash against Young Boys in December.
Another goalkeeper that returned to United was former Australian international Bosnich. At the age of 17, he joined Manchester United on a non-contract basis and made his debut in a First Division fixture against Wimbledon.
But after two more appearances he moved back to his former youth side Sydney Croatia after his registration with United was cancelled in June 1991.
In February 1992, Bosnich signed for Aston Villa where he would stay for seven-and-a-half years, where he made 207 appearances, won the League Cup twice and established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Bosnich re-joined Manchester United in the summer of 1999 following the departure of legendary stopper Peter Schmeichel. He arrived on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract at Villa Park.
He picked up a Premier League medal following United’s 1999-2000 success and he started 23 league games, making 35 appearances across all competitions. He was also part of the side that won the Intercontinental Cup.
But after Sir Alex Ferguson signed World Cup-winning goalkeeper Fabian Barthez, Bosnich never played for the Reds again and signed for Chelsea in January 2001.
It came as a huge shock when ‘Sparky’ opted to join Spanish giants Barcelona in 1986 and he was brought to the Nou Camp by Terry Venables.
However, the Welshman struggled to shine and settle in Spain and needed a loan move to Bayern Munich to rediscover his best form.
But only two years after leaving United, Hughes was brought back to Old Trafford by Sir Alex and he won two Premier Leagues, one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, four FA Cups, one UEFA Supercup, one League Cup as well as five Charity Shields during his two stints with the Reds.
Hughes, who is currently the manager of Bradford City, spent seven years at Manchester United during his second period before moving to Chelsea.
The two-time Wales Football of the Year scored 163 goals for Manchester United.
One of United’s all-time greats who was part of the ‘Class of 92’ and was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame couldn’t resist making a comeback.
Having retired at the end of the 2010/11 season and playing in a testimonial match against New York Cosmos at Old Trafford, it looked like the legendary midfielder had hung up his boots for good.
But out of nowhere, the 66-time England international made his surprise return in an FA Cup third-round clash against Manchester City in January 2012 before retiring for good following the conclusion of the 2012-13 season, which saw him claim his 11th Premier League title.
The Frenchman left Manchester United on a free transfer for the first time in 2012 and joined Italian giants Juventus in the quest to secure regular first team football.
The World Cup winner won four consecutive Serie A titles and reached a Champions League final with the Old Lady and he established himself as one of the most talented midfielder’s on the planet.
But in August 2016, under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho, United splashed out a world-record £89m to bring the former Le Harve youngster back to Manchester.
After six years back at United and no trophies in five years, Pogba, who was nothing but disrespectful to the Reds in his recent aired ‘Pogmentary’, is set to join Juve on a free transfer for a second time, following the expiry of his United contract.
Twelve years after departing to join Real Madrid for a then world-record £80m, the Portuguese legend returned to United last summer after making the switch from Juventus.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner won it all during his first stint at United under ‘father figure’ Sir Alex, but it was a completely different club back then to that of the one he re-joined.
United may have endured their worst season in Premier League history, but Ronaldo was the club’s top scorer with 24 across all competitions, 18 of which came in the Premier League.
The 37-year-old will be hoping to spearhead Ten Hag’s era and restore the glory days at his beloved Manchester United.
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