Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has not yet signed a new contract at the club and his situation has been described as ‘bleak’.
Negotiations with the Spaniard are ongoing, with the club’s official retained list stating: “discussions remain open with David de Gea over a potential new contract.”
De Gea’s current contract expires on June 30. Talks have been ongoing since last year.
There is a chance that De Gea has played his final game for the club.
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David de Gea ‘bleak future’
According to The Mirror, David de Gea’s future as a Manchester United player looks ‘bleak’.
The report states: “United sources have indicated De Gea’s contractual situation is looking bleak, with the 31-year-old so far unwilling to accept a reduction on his current £375,000-a-week salary.”
United vastly overpaid on De Gea’s last contract and cannot commit to him being a guaranteed number one.
Even though he won the Golden Glove, this was due to a vastly improved defence.
De Gea’s distribution and command of his penalty area are long-term weaknesses to his game and there is no expectation he will improve these at this stage of his career.
This was exposed in the FA Cup final, when even his usually good shot-stopping fell below standard.
Roy Keane is among the pundits to call for De Gea to be moved on.
Manchester United have been linked to a succession of goalkeepers, with The Athletic reporting the club are looking at Andre Onana and Diogo Costa.
While there is a chance De Gea could still stay, on a reduced salary, it depends what he is prepared to accept, and demand in terms of playing time.
Really, it would be best for all parties if he was moved on, which would force United into a decision over a replacement, rather than putting it off.
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