De Gea rejects ‘good proposal’ from Man Utd as he classes himself as one of Ten Hag’s top stars
Man Utd goalkeeper David de Gea has turned down the Red Devils’ first contract offer but there is hope a deal will be struck, according to reports.
The Spaniard joined Man Utd from Atletico Madrid in 2011, during Sir Alex Ferguson’s time in charge at the club, with the 32-year-old going on to make 529 appearances for the Red Devils.
He has won four Players’ Player of the Year awards during that time and lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.
But there have been doubts at times over his ability with Roy Keane one of his most outspoken critics, while he was reportedly close to leaving for Real Madrid at one point too.
De Gea’s contract expires at the end of this season, although Man Utd hold an option to extend it for another year, but the Red Devils are attempting to cut their wage bill and want to renew his deal sooner rather than later.
And The Athletic claim that De Gea has ‘turned down Manchester United’s first offer of a new contract, but at this stage negotiations are expected to reach a positive conclusion’.
The current talks are ‘described as a negotiation to narrow the difference between the numbers’ with De Gea currently taking home £375,000 a week in wages.
With little competition for his number one spot, De Gea has always been in a strong negotiating position but he ‘recognises that now, aged 32, he must take a reduction to stay.’
Sources have told The Athletic that Man Utd have ‘made a good proposal, but nonetheless, it is unsatisfactory to De Gea at present’.
The report adds:
‘He wants to continue at Old Trafford but feels that his performances this season still rank him as one of Erik ten Hag’s most important players and remuneration should follow accordingly.
‘Ten Hag, meanwhile, has given his blessing for De Gea to continue at United.’
Former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore reckons Man Utd need to invest in a new goalkeeper to replace De Gea if they want to challenge for Premier League titles.
“One of the first things Manchester City and Liverpool did when they were looking to move to the next level was to invest in a new goalkeeper and I think it’s time Manchester United did the same,” Collymore told Caught Offside this week.
“I like David De Gea, I think he’s been phenomenal over the years for United, but his distribution lets him down and Erik Ten Hag will want a keeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and can play to the traditional Ajax system of playing it out and building attacks from the back.
“Unfortunately, De Gea isn’t that type of player, so in my opinion, targeting a goalkeeper that can do the things De Gea can’t is an absolute priority for United this summer.”
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