According to an exclusive in today’s Times, David de Gea is ready to “commit his future” to Manchester United by extending his contract.
Rumours have been rife in recent weeks that the Red Devils were anxious to tie down their sensational shot-stopper to a new deal in order to ward off interest from Real Madrid.
According to the Times, “negotiations have progressed well” since they began at the end of last year. The paper says that the new contract is likely to net the 27-year-old in excess of £220,000 a week.
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The figure is some way short of the £375,000 that one or two of the more excitable tabloids were saying de Gea was after, but it still represents an increase on his current weekly salary of £210,000.
The goalkeeper showcased his credentials to full effect on Wednesday, pulling off a string of superb saves as United held Sevilla to a goalless draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.
The United board consider the Spaniard essential to their future plans and want him to commit to a new deal so he stays “until the summer of 2021 or beyond”.
It’s believed that de Gea is happy to remain at Old Trafford, having put down roots in the area, and is ready to sign a new deal before the end of the season so that any transfer speculation is resolved before he jets off to Russia for the World Cup.
The news will be a heavy blow for Real Madrid, who have long coveted the player. The Times believes they will now make a determined effort to lure Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea.
