Manchester United might have given themselves a little more breathing space when it comes to David de Gea‘s contract, but they are still no closer to securing his long-term future. An automatic one-year extension on his deal has been triggered; can they persuade him to stay beyond 2020?
Sources say the two parties are locked in a ‘contract stand-off’. De Gea will block any attempts to sell him either in the January transfer window or next summer, meaning United must either agree to his demands or lose him for free when his current deal expires.
By leaving as a free agent, De Gea will likely guarantee himself a much greater signing-on bonus from potential suitors who will not be lumbered with a huge transfer fee.
The Sunday Times story, written by some fella called Duncan Castles, adds that De Gea would be happy to stay at Old Trafford if he is offered a wage comparable to that of Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba. Quite why United are dragging their feet on that is beyond mere mortals like you or I.
If United do not acquiesce to his demands, then De Gea will be free to agree a pre-contract with any European club in January 2020, and will be a free agent that summer. He won’t be leaving next month or at the end of this season.
A throwaway line in that story pertains to the Spaniard’s possible replacement. Jordan Pickford ‘has been floated’ as a possible new No. 1. Our early loser, Jose Mourinho, has been busy.
Manchester United are ready to spend £70m on Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford if David de Gea doesn't agree a new contract – (via Sunday Mirror)#TransferNews #MUFC #EFC pic.twitter.com/usKKV72Gy0
— Transfer Site (@TransferSite) December 2, 2018
The Sunday Mirror go much further on what is admittedly not a new rumour. They say United are planning to offer £70m for a player Everton signed for £30m in summer 2017.
They describe this as ‘a world record for a goalkeeper’, as it ‘would eclipse the £66.8m Liverpool paid Roma for Brazil’s Alisson.’
It sure would. Kepa, who Chelsea spent £71.6m on just a couple of months ago, wants a word though. £70m wouldnotbe a world-record, guys.
It also might not necessarily be enough. Pickford signed a six-year contract in September, and would need replacing at a time when every club in the world knows Everton just received a cool £70m into their bank accounts. They are under no obligation to sell.