Jan Oblak plays down new Atletico contract amid Man Utd links

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has claimed his new contract “does not change anything” providing the club continues to match his ambitions.

Manchester United are reportedly gripping themselves for an astronomical bid from Paris Saint-Germain for shot-stopper David de Gea, after the Ligue 1 club confirmed the departure of Gianluigi Buffon.

Could Man Utd sign Oblak? Five key things to know…

1. De Gea will enter the final year of his contract this summer.
2. Man Utd have been attempting to tie the Spaniard down to a new deal but fresh terms are yet to be agreed.
3. Should United fail to pen a new deal with De Gea, then the 28-year-old would be free to negotiate with foreign clubs on January 1 regarding a free transfer next summer.
4. As such, United may be willing to sell De Gea to PSG, opening the door to a potential bid for Oblak.
5. The Slovenian only signed a new contract in April but has now suggested ‘nothing has changed’ in regard to his transfer status.

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Thomas Tuchel will be keen to find an adequate replacement for the veteran ‘keeper, serving either as an understudy to Alphonse Areola or a first-team regular.

Should it be the latter then the Parisians could look to prise the unsettled De Gea away from Old Trafford, meaning Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will need a new man between the sticks.

And Oblak has resurfaced as a potential target, one that was supposedly disregarded after he signed a new Atleti contract, but the 26-year-old has now fanned the flames with his latest comments.

“I signed a new contract, but that does not change anything,” Oblak told Ekipa.

“I will stay at Atletico as long as their ambitions match mine.

“And some people might think their ambitions have lowered, as big players have left.

“I am sure the club will do everything possible to sign quality players. When I signed my new contract they gave me guarantees about the club’s ambition.

“They said the aspirations were not going to change.”

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Busy summer for Atleti

Diego Simeone’s side are set for an extremely busy summer, with a number of departures already confirmed by the club.

Lucas Hernandez has already secured a bumper move to Bayern Munich, while Gelson Martins could be set to join Luciano Vietto at Sporting CP.

Elsewhere, stalwarts and club legends Diego Godin and Juanfran will leave this summer, ending a combined 18 years of service with Atleti and over 700 appearances having both joined in 2010.

Finally, talisman Antoine Griezmann has already announced his intent to leave the Wanda Metropolitano with Barcelona his likely destination, while Rodri has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.

With key players and experienced heads departing the Spanish capital, Oblak may view this as a sign the club aren’t matching his ambitions, which may explain his latest comments and a renewed interest from Old Trafford.