David de Gea has been a free agent since ending his 12-year stint with Manchester United in July but the Spanish goalkeeper could soon make his long-awaited return to football

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is in talks to join Real Betis and bring his four-month exile from professional football to an end.

De Gea, who turned 33 this week, was released by United in July after failing to agree a new contract following 12 years of mostly stellar service. The Red Devils instead opted to sign Andre Onana for £47million – a transfer which the jury is still well and truly out on. The Spaniard has kept a low profile since his departure from Old Trafford, although he recently returned to Manchester to see his old teammates, prompting speculation over what would be a sensational return.

Discussion about the Spaniard’s next destination has simmered throughout the season but now Betis appear to be the best-placed club to put an end to that. Spanish publication Eldes Marque report that the La Liga outfit have opened talks and are preparing to offer De Gea a short-term deal which would see him sign in January.

Betis are managed by ex-Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini and have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign in both La Liga and the Europa League. But not everything is rosy for the Seville-based club, as they’re currently over the league’s salary cap and would need to offload a player before welcoming De Gea on reduced terms – at least compared to his old United wage.

It’s explained in the report that Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Silva could be deemed surplus to requirements in the January transfer window, having lost his place to 40-year-old Claudio Bravo, also formerly of City. But there was an issue for the veteran in Thursday’s 4-1 Europa League group-stage victory over Aris Limassol, as Bravo ended the match in discomfort.

Manuel Pellegrini could offer David de Gea a route back into football in January ( Image: Joaquin Corchero/Europa Press via Getty Images)

On Sunday, Betis make the journey across town to face arch rivals Sevilla. De Gea, who faced Pellegrini’s men with the Red Devils last season, won’t be able to come to the rescue in time for that clash, although the winter window offers him the chance to don the gloves at the Estadio Benito Villamarin once again.

The 33-year-old, who earned a whopping £375,000 per week during his final four years at United, turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabian clubs over the summer, hoping that a major European side would come calling. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan – whom Onana joined the Red Devils from – were all linked with a move but a deal never materialised for football’s most high-profile free agent.

De Gea, of course, began his career in his homeland of Spain, rising through Atletico Madrid’s ranks. That was until Sir Alex Ferguson chose him to be Edwin van der Sar’s successor, and four United player of the year awards proved him a worthy one.