Speculation still persists De Gea’s new contract negotiations but no official announcement has still been announced. He was asked about a new contract during the press conference for the Young Boys Champions League fixture last week. De Gea said: “I feel real love for this club, the fans. I’m really happy. It’s one of the best clubs in the world so it’s really good to be part of this club.”
With United paying astronomical wages for Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba, two players who have yet to justify their lofty earnings, is it time Big Dave was brought in line with the big earners?
He is already well paid I’m sure but let’s look at the increase in transfer fees for Goalkeepers in the last year.
City paid £35million last summer for Ederson, Allison went to Liverpool for a reported £56 million rising to £66 million and then Chelsea broke the record fee, £70 million, for Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer.
How much is David De Gea worth in today’s market? On top of that, if he was sold, how much would a replacement cost and where would you find a better player?
Real Madrid seem to have given up their persistent chase by signing Thibaut Courtois so moving to Spain for now seems unlikely.
The logical step now would be to make him captain. Tony Valencia has been a good servant to the club but it’s now time to give someone with real quality, leads by example with consistency and high standards.
De Gea’s transformation since his move from Atlético Madrid for £19 million has been meteoric. A skinny, athletic bag of bones when he started his time at Old Trafford to a filled out, athletic and honed technically gifted shot-stopper.
He defied a very shaky start and often was rotated with Anders Lindegaard.
De Gea showed determination, mental strength coming back from costly mistakes forcing his way back into the team and never looked back.
United’s goalkeeping coach at the time, Eric Steele, who was instrumental in De Gea’s recruitment, said to the Daily Mail: “I can only remember Sir Alex Ferguson missing two United matches. He missed a Manchester derby in 2000 for his son’s wedding. The other time? To scout the brilliant David de Gea.