In a bid to retain the services of their star goal-keeper, Manchester United are ready to offer a new contract to David De Gea and fend off interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid
The Mirror believe that Manchester United will offer Spanish superstar David de Gea a new contract in order to extend his stay at Old Trafford and subsequently ward off interest from Real Madrid who’ve long been linked with the Atletico Madrid academy product.
The 26-year-old, who has been a mainstay and a crucial member of the United set-up over the last 4 seasons, has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid with a potential move in 2015 falling out due to a fax machine goof-up.
A transfer ban on Los Blancos last summer meant that the 20-time league winners had the Spaniard’s services for at least another season. However, with the ban lifted this time around, Real Madrid look likely to upgrade from Keylor Navas to the mercurial talent of De Gea.
The 26-year-old grew up the ranks at Real’s city rivals Atletico before completing the move to Manchester United in 2011. Following a shaky start to life at Old Trafford, De Gea has since seen himself grow from strength-to-strength and is today a player of titanic importance at the club.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that he’s been hounded by the likes of Real Madrid, who are still looking out for a player to fill the mighty shoes of club legend Iker Casillas.
With a promising project under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho in progress, United are looking to latch on to De Gea by offering him a new contract that will extend his stay at the club 2020. In doing so, at £200,ooo/week, he could one of the highest paid players at the club.
Should the Spaniard reject the contract offer, United are expected to command a world record fee for him even surpassing the £32.5 million that Juventus paid for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.
De Gea has won the club’s Player of the Season accolade for three years in a row and although it looks like Zlatan Ibrahimovic could pip him to the award this time around, it by no means diminishes his value and stature at the club.
United though have back-ups lined up should their star goalkeeper leave them for the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer. While they already have a more than capable back-up in Sergio Romero, they’ve been linked with A.C Milan wonder-kid Gianluigi Donnarumma.
However, the Italian has been reportedly valued at an astronomical £100 million and it remains to be seen whether Jose Mourinho will be prepared to break the world-record fee for a second year running.
That said, managing to tie De Gea to a contract extension would be top priority for the club and can help the club divert their attention to crucial additions in other areas of the park.
