Man Utd star ‘close to agreeing’ new contract with ‘larger incentives’ factored into fresh terms

Lewis Oldham
Man Utd star De Gea

Man Utd star David De Gea is reportedly ‘close to agreeing’ to a new contract that will keep him at the Premier League club beyond the end of this season.

There has been a lot of speculation surrounding De Gea in recent months because he is out of contract in the summer as things stand.

Man Utd have the option to automatically extend his deal on the same terms for a further year until 2024. But the club are keen for him to take a pay cut as he is currently among their highest earners.

The Red Devils have been heavily linked with several potential replacements for De Gea in recent months but he has always maintained that he would prefer to remain at the club beyond the end of this campaign.

“It was great to be in goal today, with the team fighting for three points. I’m just very focused on the games helping the team as much as I can,” De Gea said back in October after United beat Everton.

“Of course, I would like to be here for more years, so let’s see what happens in the future. I’m really, really happy here.”

It was reported last month that De Gea has rejected a new deal but ESPN are now suggesting that a full agreement with Man Utd is now ‘close’.

They are reporting that De Gea’s new deal will see him ‘take a cut in his basic wage’ but it will include ‘larger performance-related incentives’.

The report claims ‘most of the terms have been finalised’ and the remaining talks are over ‘how the contract is structured’.

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Ex-Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given thinks Man Utd should not “think twice” about extending De Gea’s contract.

“I would extend it all day and wouldn’t think twice,” Given told BBC Radio 5 Live. “How many times have we said over the last 10 years that David is the reason United have picked up points? He has been phenomenal.

“I understand modern keepers need to play with their feet but their first job is to keep the ball out of the net. De Gea has improved with the ball and, while he’s not Ederson or Alisson, he is one of the best in the world at shot-stopping.

“You have seen goalkeepers struggle in the past about being at Manchester United because of the size of the club and being scrutinised for everything. De Gea has been there so long and knows the club inside out.

“I’d definitely be trying to tie him down.”

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