De Gea teases a return to football as Newcastle consider a shock move for him

David de Gea has dropped a massive hint that he could be set to return to football amid links of a January move to Newcastle.

The 33-year-old has been without a club since he left Manchester United as a free agent in the summer. The Spanish international has reportedly turned down a host of offers, including a lucrative approach from the Saudi Pro League.

As Mail Sport revealed earlier this month, the Magpies are the latest team to be linked with De Gea following the injury to first-choice stopper Nick Pope.

The former Burnley man suffered a repeat of the dislocated shoulder problem he had while at Turf Moor, which kept him on the sidelines for just over five months.

De Gea has fueled speculation that he could be making an imminent return to the Premier League by posting an image of a pair of goalkeeping gloves as he stood in a field.

He accompanied the snap, which appeared on his Instagram story, with the words: 'Work, work, work.'

Should De Gea make the move to St James' Park, he'll have to accept a much lower salary than the £375,000-per-week he enjoyed in the final year of his Old Trafford contract.

Mail Sport understands De Gea is one potential option Newcastle have looked at. He would have obvious appeal given his pedigree, immediate availability and the fact he would not require a transfer fee.

Former Newcastle No.1 Martin Dubravka has been reinstated to the starting XI in Pope's absence. Eddie Howe's side also have Loris Karius and Mark Gillespie among their goalkeeping ranks.

Though the Newcastle boss admitted that the Slovakian's participation in the club's crucial Champions League clash with AC Milan is 'slightly unclear' after he missed training on Tuesday.