Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea could keep the Old Trafford club sweating until January 2020 before signing a new contract, according to reports. The player is yet to put pen to paper after agreeing, in principle a new £350,000 a week deal to remain at the Theatre of Dreams. He will be a free agent at the end of the 2019/20 season.
The 28-year-old has reportedly agreed on a new six year contract at the Theatre of Dreams, which could be a five-year deal with the option of a sixth – which would ensure the player would remain at United well into his mid-30s, spending the best years of his career at the club. United expect the deal to be completed with the player signing the contract.
They are, however, waiting on the green light to get the deal finalised. There is an issue which relates to the 25% deduction of wages if the club fails to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, which was the case last season. If United fail to reach the elite European competition for two seasons in a row, they lose money from kit supplier, adidas.
This clause would mean that De Gea’s weekly wage would be reduced to around £263,000 if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer failed to finish the season whether in the top four of the Premier League or by winning the UEFA Europa League, which they did under Jose Mourinho during the 2016/17 season, beating Ajax 2-0 in the final at the Friends Arena in Sweden.
The situation is apparently being tracked by Paris Saint-Germain, who were reportedly interested in signing the player in the summer, although no actual offer was made and it just seemed like yet another rumour surrounding the player who could be considered as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Real Madrid has also been long-term admirers of De Gea, failing to get their transfer of the player sorted on deadline day in Spain during the summer of 2015, which saw the player’s move fail and him sign a new long-term contract at the Old Trafford club weeks later. In January, foreign clubs will be able to offer De Gea a pre-contract.
United triggered the option to extend De Gea’s contract by a further year last season with the player linked with an exit of the club and a reluctance to sign a new deal with the Old Trafford club. However, during the summer, it was reported that there was a breakthrough and Jorge Mendes had been at the club to sort out the new contract.
The four-time Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year would most certainly be a big loss for the club if his new contract was not completed. However, there are players ready to step into the role of the 28-year-old decides not to renew his current contract, despite agreeing on a deal in principle. United still has Sergio Romero until at least the summer of 2021.
Then the club has Joel Pereira, who will be spending the current season on loan with Hearts and Dean Henderson, who is on loan with Premier League club Sheffield United, his second season with the South Yorkshire club. There will be life after De Gea if he did choose to depart the club but as there is an
