Done Deal – Manchester Utd To Announce Deal For £25m Spaniard
Several reports have suggested that Manchester United are looking to extend David De Gea’s contract, nipping speculation in the bud of a possible move to Real Madrid.
De Gea has been one of the most consistence players at the Old Trafford over the last 12 months, with his form leading to seeming talks over a new deal beyond his current which is said to expire in 2016. The 23-year old Spaniard has also developed into one of the best shot stoppers in Europe over the past year, following a shaky start to his United career.
The Manchester United goalkeeper had earlier suggested he could be open to a possible move to Real Madrid in the future. The Spanish giants had been linked with a move for the young goalkeeper in recent days, with Iker Casillas seemingly on his out to Liverpool.
Speculation is widespread that Real Madrid are preparing to table a £25 million bid to lure the in-form 23 year old goalkeeper away from Old Trafford. With De Gea himself reportedly open to a switch to the Bernabeu, United are said to be worried and according to reports, The Red Devils are keen to double the shot-stopper’s salary to £120,000 per week.
Roberto Bonafont, a Spanish journalist and a good friend of the young shot stopper, took to Twitter to announce the likely extension that would see the goalkeeper stay with Louis van Gaal’s side for five more years while bagging £120,000 a week.
The former Atletico goalkeeper would be out of contract with United in 2016 and a new 5-year extension would mean that the Spaniard would spend six more years at the Old Trafford. United should be extremely confident at this point as De Gea’s hope of extending his contract is reportedly positive; a major boost to Louis van Gaal’s side. The Dutchman is said to be eager to tie down his key players.
An extension for the 23-year old at United would mean that Spanish outfit, Real Madrid will seek to bid for another shot stopper who may likely take over from the unstable Iker Casillas. KeylorNavas was signed in the summer after impressing at the World Cup for Colombia but it seems Los Blancos are not interested in making the Colombia international their number one choice.
Casillas was dropped by Spanish coach, Vicente Del Bosque while De Gea was chosen as the first team goalkeeper in Spain’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Luxemborg. The Real Madrid has however admitted that he has been considering a move away from the Bernabeu after being the subject of harsh criticisms.
Spanish newspaper, Marca, had earlier claimed that Real boss, Carlo Ancelottiis lining up the former Atletico man as replacement for club legend Iker Casillas, whose future at the Bernabeu is said to be hanging by a thread.
In a recent interview, the Real Madrid shot-stopper admitted that he had thought about a move to the Premier League, but revealed that his main priority was to remain at Madrid.
He said: “I’ve thought about leaving Spain. I don’t want to rub anyone the wrong way or create a bad air, because you always want to win.
“But then you think: I have to compete and fight. These past two years have made me fight and become stronger. I haven’t made any indication I want to leave [yet].
“I never had a concrete offer. My idea was, and is still, to finish my career here [at Real Madrid].”
And with the idea of a new contract, Real Madrid may be forced to look for other alternatives, particularly in replacing 33-year-old Casillas who seems to have lost his confidence.
With the reported extension just half-way, Van Gaal’s dream of building a dynasty around his key players continue to bloom, while the likes of Barcelona defender, DaniAlves, who has been suggested to have agreed to a preliminary deal and Borrusia Dortmund’s defender, Matt Hummels already lined up to join other players at the Old Trafford in the coming summer.
De Gea replaced retired Edwin van der Sar in 2011 under legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. The Red Devils signed the Spaniard from Atletico Madrid for a British record fee for a goalkeeper for £17.8 million and has since become one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and a potential permanent replacement for Iker Casillas at the national level.