Back in June, on the eve of the World Cup, we saw a very jumping-the-gun/counting the chickens before they’re hatched kind of “report” claiming that David de Gea had been locked down at Manchester United long term.
Well, so much for that, as that deal was never sealed and current negotiations remain at a reported impasse. The Spaniard’s current deal runs out at the end of the season, but the team has a club option to extend him until 2020. By many metrics and opinions, he’s the team’s best player, so his uncertain future is obviously a massive cause for concern.
According to a report by James Ducker of The Telegraph, the club is facing “a serious battle” to get their #1 to stick around beyond the length of his current contract. Given the team’s well documented struggles this season, and their overall inability to achieve at a level commensurate with their collective pay grade, De Gea is reportedly uncertain about staying put and the team could be faced with either
a.) losing him for nothing in the summer of 2020 or
b.) selling him for very cheap next summer, as their bargaining power will be low, similar to what we saw with Chelsea sending Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid.
Speaking of Real Madrid, De Gea came within a hair’s breath of joining up on summer transfer window deadline day 2015, but an 11th hour clerical snafu (in which both clubs blamed the other side) kiboshed the whole thing.
While Madrid are stocked at keeper now with Courtois and Keylor Navas, De Gea would still have plenty of suitors if he hits the open market.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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