Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is reportedly set to become the club’s second highest earner by signing a new long-term deal in the summer.
Real Madrid are set to suffer a major blow in their pursuit of Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, as the Spaniard is on the verge of signing a new bumper contract extension with the Red Devils, as per a report from The Sun.
Widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, the 27-year old has been on top of Real Madrid’s shopping list for years together now, with Los Blancos coming very close to signing him in the summer of 2015, only to see the deal fall through in the wee hours of the transfer window.
The Spanish and European champions have continued to monitor De Gea’s situation ever since and were understood to be planning to make another move in the summer with a €70 million offer being mooted.
However, the latest developments in his contract situations at Manchester United will surely have dealt a killer blow to Real Madrid’s hopes of landing the 27-time capped Spanish international.
De Gea’s contract with Manchester United was set to expire in the summer of 2019, although the club had the option of extending it by another year. However, the Red Devils have acted fast in trying to tie down a player that is hugely important at Old Trafford and is viewed as a club legend in the making.
As quoted by the Sun, a source to the club said, “The club want it sorted. It has to be done in their eyes. They want to show the world that David won’t be leaving for anywhere. It’s a real statement.”
After having held initial discussions with De Gea’s representatives earlier this season, Manchester United are set to enter serious negotiations with the 27-year old this month and are keen on getting a new deal signed before he departs for the summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia with Spain.
Having joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in July 2011, De Gea endured a difficult start to life in England, but soon began to show his class and over the years has grown into one of the most consistent players at the club and across Europe.
Till date, the 27-year old has clocked up 303 appearances for the twenty-time English champions, winning a Premier League title, one UEFA Europa League triumph along with tasting success in FA Cup and EFL Cup as well.
In the 2017-18 Premier League campaign, De Gea has featured 31 times for Manhester United, in which he has managed to keep 16 clean sheets as he looks to get his hands on his first Golden Glove award at the end of the season.
Currently on a pay packet of close to £210,000 per week, De Gea could see his wages rise to as high as £350,000-a-week, which would make him the second-highest paid player at the club, behind January signing Alexis Sanchez, who reportedly earns a whopping £505,000-a-week.
It is a great move by Manchester United in trying to tie down De Gea’s long-term future at the club, given how integral a player he has become to the club in recent years. As far as Real Madrid are concerned, they will surely turn their attention elsewhere, with a move for AS Roma custodian Alisson Becker reported to be in the pipeline.
