Manchester United are set to offer a bumper new deal to David De Gea to make him their highest paid player and ward off Real Madrid.
According to a report by The Sun, Manchester United are preparing a stunning contract offer to secure the long-term future of David De Gea, with the deal potentially making him the highest paid player at the club. Real Madrid hold a long-time interest in making the Spaniard a marquee signing.
De Gea has progressed leaps and bounds since first arriving at Manchester United as a lanky goalkeeper. From the initial days of struggle to now being considered as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and in the club’s history, a lot has changed, with the Spaniard becoming a pivotal figure at Old Trafford.
This season, De Gea has established himself at the top of the goalkeeping charts, with a league-high 12 clean sheets. Only Ederson has conceded fewer goals than him this season, and it is such exploits that have seen De Gea attract interest from Real Madrid for the longest time.
Los Blancos have attempted to sign De Gea in each of the last three summer transfer windows, albeit without much success. In fact, Real Madrid had almost secured the shot stopper’s services in the summer of 2015, before a delay in paperwork ensured he remained at Manchester United.
Top of the charts! ?@D_DeGea still leads the way… pic.twitter.com/kSxnwKTIaJ
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 10, 2018
The Spanish powerhouse still remain in pursuit of De Gea though, with the need to upgrade Zinedine Zidane’s goalkeeping options an urgent one. Keylor Navas has continued his inconsistent displays this season, struggling to maintain a late surge in form in 2016-17, while Kiko Casilla is not deemed good enough to be the Real Madrid number one.
There were widespread reports that Kepa Arrizabalaga had become the number one target to bolster Zidane’s goalkeeping options. But, the latest rumours have suggested that Real Madrid are considering another assault to secure the Manchester United number one’s services instead.
The Red Devils though, are now taking steps to secure De Gea’s long-term future and keep Real Madrid’s prying hands away from him. The Spaniard’s current contract has just 18 months remaining, although Manchester United do hold the option of extending it by a further year.
But, the club is now ready to offer him a fresh five-year deal that would bump his pay significantly from £210,000-a-week to £300,000-a-week to make him the joint-highest earner alongside Paul Pogba. Manchester United are hoping to wrap the deal up before De Gea leaves for the World Cup.
De Gea is seemingly happy at Old Trafford and is likely to put pen to paper when the deal is put on the table. It now remains to be seen if the 27-year-old indeed seals his long-term future with Manchester United, snubbing Real Madrid in the process.
