Manchester United will be frustrated in their efforts to lure Unai Simon to Old Trafford as he wants to stay at Athletic Bilbao 'for life', according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, who moved into the hot seat during the summer, will be given an opportunity to bolster his squad when the winter window opens for business in January.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones

What's the latest news involving Simon?

According to The Athletic, Simon is on Manchester United's shortlist of goalkeeping targets while doubts persist over David De Gea's long-term future.

The report suggests the 25-year-old has the attributes ten Hag is looking for and could be drafted in as a long-term successor to his fellow Spaniard, who has entered the final six months of his £375,000-per-week contract, although the agreement could be extended by the Red Devils until the summer of 2024.

However, Athletic Bilbao are under no pressure to sell Simon as he still has just shy of three years remaining on his contract, which is worth just over £73,000-per-week.

The shot-stopper has not missed a single minute of the La Liga campaign, underlining his importance to his current employers.

Simon's form also resulted in him being named in the Spain squad for the World Cup, while Manchester United's De Gea missed out.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Dean Jones said about Simon?

Jones understands that Simon, who is valued at £43million by the CIES Football Observatory, has no intention of forcing a move away from Athletic Bilbao as he wants to see out the remainder of his career with the Spanish side.

As a result, the journalist believes Manchester United will find it difficult to strike a deal as they identify De Gea alternatives.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "I don't think Unai Simon is gettable. From everything I'm told, he's at Athletic Bilbao for life. That's what he's told them.

"He's very, very loyal to his Basque roots and he's kind of planning to stay there."

How does Simon compare to De Gea?

Simon has made 142 senior appearances for Athletic Bilbao and kept 45 clean sheets along the way.

Statistics show that he has enjoyed a better first half of the season than De Gea, who has been on Manchester United's books since completing a £18.9million switch from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

Simon has conceded less goals, a better clean sheet percentage and an improved pass completion rate than the Red Devils' current first choice goalkeeper.

Remarkably, Simon and De Gea have exactly the same save percentage - 66 - in La Liga and the Premier League respectively.

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