Sergio Romero is the first-choice goalkeeper for Argentina (Getty Images)
According to Daily Star, Sergio Romero has been thrown a lifeline to leave Manchester United. His former club Racing have offered him a chance to rejoin them provided he takes a significant pay cut. The deal would still be very complicated as United would need to terminate his contract allowing him to sign on a free for Racing Club.
The 33-year-old started his senior career at Racing Club in his native Argentina back in 2006. A year later, he moved to Europe with AZ. He won the league in 2009 under Louis van Gaal. He then moved to Italy and joined Sampdoria, helping the club gain promotion in 2012. In 74 games, he kept 25 clean sheets.
A loan move to Monaco followed in 2013 but Romero failed to get games there. Manchester United signed him on a free transfer in 2015 to provide cover for De Gea. He has since won the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup, and he had a major part to play in them too.
Despite just making 61 appearances for the side, he has kept 39 clean sheets, while letting in only 27 goals. The Argentine is a veteran for his national team with 96 appearances to date (source – Transfermarkt).
When Dean Henderson returned from his loan spell and was made a part of the first-team, it was clear that Romero would not be second choice anymore. That has proved to be the case, with Henderson starting in both the EFL Cup matches.
United also excluded Romero from the Champions League squad and opted for Lee Grant as third-choice keeper. All signs pointed towards the £100,000-a-week star’s exit from the club.
His wife also spoke out on the matter and how the club should respect the player (source – The Sun). The Argentine has been very professional during his 5-year stay and has been content playing second fiddle. He was unfairly dropped for vital semi-final games against Chelsea and Sevilla last season despite De Gea’s disastrous form.
Now with Racing Club offering him a chance to join, Manchester United should not stand in his way. Since a transfer between clubs can’t take place at this point, United should terminate his contract which would make Romero a free agent. Racing can then sign him on a free transfer.
