Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has reportedly turned down a new contract offer from the club despite having less than six months on his current deal.
The Spanish international is the top earner at Old Trafford and the world’s highest-paid goalkeeper, having signed a deal in September 2019 that sees him earn £375,000 a week. But that deal is set to expire this summer, and United want to discuss new terms.
However, according to The Athletic, the Red Devils want to reduce his weekly salary. The 32-year-old is aware that he must accept a wage cut if he wants to remain at the club he joined in 2011.
De Gea signed for a reported £ 18.9 million deal and has made over 500 appearances for the club. He has kept the most clean sheets in the club’s history, having kept his 181st clean sheet against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final last month.
After a tricky start to this campaign under Erik ten Hag, the Spanish goalie has been in fine form recently and has regained the trust of his manager. He has made several top saves this season, keeping United firmly in the top-four race.
According to the report, Man United offered De Gea the massive sum in his current deal due to his undisputed status as United’s only No 1. The arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal on a deal worth more than £400,000 per week, around the time he signed that contract in 2019, also helped to persuade the then-club chief executive Ed Woodward to agree to a £375,000 a week.
However, Man United are in a strong bargaining position now and will be able to negotiate a reduced offer. However, The Red Devils still value De Gea as one of its most important players and have offered him a good proposal.
Ten Hag is particularly a fan of the player and is keen on keeping him at Old Trafford despite his early reservations. The Dutchman will rather sell Man United’s other goalie Dean Henderson, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest than lose De Gea any time soon.