David de Gea has reportedly turned down the offer of a new contract at Manchester United ahead of his deal expiring at the end of this season – but negotiations with the Spanish stopper are expected to reach a positive conclusion.
When he signed his current deal in September 2019, United agreed to pay De Gea £375,000-a-week – meaning he became the world’s highest-paid goalkeeper.
The 32-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and has gone on to rack up more than 500 appearances for the club.
After a tricky start to this campaign, De Gea has been in fine form and recently surpassed Peter Schmeichel as the club’s all-time record holder for clean sheets with 183.
However, according to The Athletic, while United want to extend his deal they are focused on reducing his huge salary – something De Gea realises he must accept if he wants to remain at the club.
David de Gea has reportedly turned down Manchester United’s first offer of a new contract
After initially struggling, De Gea has enjoyed a fine campaign and has made several top saves
The report states that at the time of signing his current deal, the arrival of Alexis Sanchez on a deal of more than £400,000 per week, along with his status as United’s only No 1 gave De Gea leverage in talks with then chief executive Ed Woodward.
After initial question marks about whether the 32-year-old could be Ten Hag’s long-term No 1, the Dutchman has appreciated the contribution De Gea has made this season, with a string of sensational saves at big moments in matches.
For example, the Spaniard’s stop to deny Kelechi Iheanacho’s header in United’s 3-0 win over Leicester was named as the Premier League’s save of the month for February.
As a result, Ten Hag wants the keeper to continue at Old Trafford.
The report outlines how De Gea has received a good proposal but believes his form and match-winning contributions demonstrate he is still one of the Red Devils’ most important players and an appropriate salary should be paid.
While De Gea has failed to convince at times when playing out from the back, Ten Hag is known as a pragmatic coach who has learned to appreciate the keeper’s worth while acknowledging that his distribution is something that he continues to work on.
As a result, instructions have been adapted accordingly and after a particularly erratic display of distribution in their 4-1 win over Real Betis earlier this month, he provided his support to De Gea.
Ten Hag said: ‘I can’t ignore (his kicking), but we have seen many games (where) he did really well.
‘David is working on that. He is improving and he will keep improving, I’m sure.’
Talks on a new deal are expected to conclude positively with Erik ten Hag keen to keep De Gea
The report also states keeper Dean Henderson may leave United permanently this summer
There is likely to be change elsewhere in the goalkeeping department this summer with the report also stating how Dean Henderson – who has spent the season on loan at Nottingham Forest – could be sold, with United determined to get better at selling players at the right time.
Henderson has two years left on his deal and two clubs have reportedly shown interest over a permanent move after an impressive run of form for Steve Cooper’s side.
Elsewhere, after the failed loan move of Martin Dubravka – who was signed to challenge De Gea before returning to Newcastle in January – back-up Tom Heaton is out of contract at the end of the season, while Jack Butland has yet to feature since joining on loan from Crystal Palace in January.
United return to action on Sunday when they face Newcastle in a crunch clash in the battle for the top four.
