MANCHESTER, UK (June 27) – In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United have reportedly withdrawn their contract offer to goalkeeper David de Gea, despite previously agreeing on reduced terms. According to sources, the club failed to complete their side of the paperwork, leading to the withdrawal of the deal.
De Gea, whose current £375,000-a-week contract is set to expire at the end of this week, did not have a one-year extension clause triggered by United during the previous season, as reported by the Daily Mirror. Negotiations between the Spanish shot-stopper and the Red Devils ensued, resulting in the presentation of a new proposal that included a substantial wage reduction.
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Reports suggest that De Gea accepted the offer and even signed the contract, only for the club’s hierarchy to have a change of heart and subsequently rescind the agreement. Manchester United has since made another contract offer to De Gea, this time with an even lower salary, but the 32-year-old has yet to put pen to paper. As a result, he is poised to become a free agent this Saturday, with potential interest emerging from Saudi Arabia.
De Gea’s performances in recent seasons have been met with mixed reviews. Although he claimed the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets during the 2022-2023 season, his display in the FA Cup final against Manchester City drew heavy criticism.
The Spanish goalkeeper was faulted for not reacting swiftly enough to prevent Ilkay Gündogan from scoring the second goal in that match. Additionally, his inconsistent kicking and distribution have long been identified as weaknesses.
Manchester United are actively seeking a replacement for De Gea, and one player who has emerged as the club’s primary target is Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana. The Cameroonian shot-stopper is highly regarded and could be the ideal successor between the sticks at Old Trafford.
As the days tick away toward the expiration of De Gea’s contract, the speculation surrounding his future intensifies. Football fans worldwide will be closely monitoring the situation, eagerly awaiting confirmation of the Spanish goalkeeper’s next destination.
Meanwhile, Manchester United continue their pursuit of securing a new goalkeeper as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.
