David de Gea has reportedly turned down the chance to return to the Premier League as the free agent continues his search for a new club. The former Manchester United goalkeeper dropped a major hint that he was finally close to sealing a free transfer after spending an entire 2023-24 season without a team, but he will not be joining one of the Red Devils' rivals.

Ex-Spain international De Gea posted a cryptic tweet on his X account on Saturday, containing only an hour-glass emoji. In the world of football transfers, such a post on social media could have been interpreted as a signal that the Spaniard was about to confirm a move to a new club.

Speculation was rife that the 33-year-old could have made the shock decision to return to the Premier League, with a team other than Manchester United.

According to The Athletic, one unnamed English club 'expressed interest' in signing De Gea, while there are also clubs in Italy, Saudi Arabia and the USA pondering a move for the experienced stopper.

The report claims De Gea isn't interested in a return to the UK following his 12-year stint at Old Trafford. However, he is expected to resolve his future by next week as clubs line up for his signature.

De Gea made 545 appearances for United in his 12 seasons at the club, having been signed in 2011 at the tail end of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign in Manchester.

He proved to be a bargain signing at £20.5million from Atletico Madrid as he became the club's number one goalkeeper when Edwin van der Sar retired.

But De Gea's proclivity for high-profile mistakes saw him fall out of favour at time at Old Trafford and the signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan in July 2023 essentially confirmed his departure under Erik ten Hag.

Despite reports linking him with a return to his native Spain, with both Sevilla and Real Betis linked with the 45-cap international, he has continued to wait for the right opportunity to come along.

He has been hinting at a possible comeback, posting training videos with the caption: "Loading". Rumours have also refused to die down that he could retire from football altogether.