Who should Manchester United sign as their new No1 goalkeeper?

David De Gea

A tall, athletic goalkeeper who is seen as a natural successor to Iker Casillas when the Real Madrid goalkeeper, 30 next month, retires from international football. Made his name in 2007, when Spain beat Belgium on penalties to reach the Under-17 European Championship final (which they won against England) and made his Champions League and La Liga debut within a week in 2009. He saved a penalty in his first league game. He won the Europa League with Atlético as a 19-year-old last season and has continued to improve this campaign. Has few – or no – weaknesses and United have reportedly made the Spaniard their No1 target. Atlético are trying to tie him down to a new contract (he has three years left on his current deal) but may be forced to sell in the summer. De Gea is likely to cost in the region of £18m-£20m.

Maarten Stekelenburg

The 6ft 6in Holland international was, according to United's first-team coach René Meulensteen, "at the top of our wanted list" in January. A product of the Ajax academy, Stekelenburg has twice been Van der Sar's long-term replacement with distinction – once at Ajax and then for Holland after Van der Sar retired in 2008 – and could now repeat the feat at Old Trafford. His performances at last summer's World Cup in South Africa, with only six goals conceded and a strong performance in the final, attracted widespread attention. Arsenal have been linked with the Dutchman, who has a contract until 2012, and Ajax are unlikely to stand in his way.

Hugo Lloris

 The Lyon goalkeeper has been regarded as one of Europe's finest goalkeepers for years and is approaching an age where he is looking for a new challenge. He has a contract until 2013 but Lyon may need to sell if they miss out on Champions League football next season, which is still a possibility. Ferguson may be concerned, however, by the 24‑year‑old's intermittent troubles with crosses, a deficiency not ideal when playing in England, and the Frenchman made a howler against South Africa at the World Cup. Lyon would consider selling to United but are likely to ask for a fee in the region of €15m.

Pepe Reina

The Liverpool goalkeeper may have come out this week to say that he is happy at Anfield but has hinted at several occasions this season that he is prepared to move on. "What a player wants, logically, is to challenge for titles," he told a Spanish radio station in February. The Spaniard has been playing in England since 2005 and would, in contrast to the other contenders, not need any time to adapt to the Premier League. Reina has said that his family is happy in Liverpool but he could conceivably commute to Manchester. It is uncertain, however, if he would be prepared to risk the ire of Liverpool fans by moving to their bitterest rivals while a buyout clause of £20m could also prove a stumbling block.

Fernando Muslera

Had an outstanding World Cup for Uruguay last year, keeping a clean sheet in all three group games and saving two penalties as Ghana were knocked out in the quarter-finals. Muslera had a troublesome start at Lazio, whom he joined in 2007, when questions were raised over the legality of his passport, and he was also dropped in favour of a 43-year-old (Marco Ballotta). But the Uruguayan has been the club's No1 goalkeeper since January 2009 and was man of the match as Lazio won the Italian Cup on penalties in that year, saving from Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano and Hugo Campagnaro. He conceded a mere 48 goals in 42 games in the 2009-10 season and experienced Europa League football with Lazio. Muslera has only one year left on his contract but – despite having had a wobble this season – Lazio are keen to renew the deal.