David De Gea Real Madrid Transfer: Manchester United Would Rather Sell Keeper For Free Next Summer Than Take Derisory Offer Now
Manchester United are reportedly willing to sell David De Gea for free next summer rather than accepting the derisory bid that Real Madrid have submitted.
According to the Mirror, Real Madrid have submitted a first offer of $30 million (£20 million) for De Gea, which Manchester United are set to dismiss. The Red Devils are adamant that De Gea, who has blossomed into one of the best goalkeepers in the world at Old Trafford, is worth much more than the above.
United bought De Gea from Atletico Madrid for $28 million (£17.8 million) all the way back in 2011. Over the past two seasons, De Gea’s form for United has seen him awarded their player of the year awards for each campaign.
De Gea has also established himself as the number one for Spain’s national side, usurping Iker Casillas for the spot. Casillas is currently the number one at Real Madrid, and new manager Rafael Benitez envisions that De Gea will replace Casillas in this role at the Bernabeu.
De Gea, who has one-year left on his Manchester United contract, has made it known to Louis Van Gaal and United that he wants to transfer to Madrid. De Gea was born and raised in the Spanish capital, while his girlfriend still lives there.
Manchester United are willing to let De Gea leave, but they’re adamant that they want $55 million (£35 million) from Madrid. This would make De Gea the most expensive goalkeeper in the history of soccer. Currently that honor belongs to Gianluigi Buffon, who Juventus bought from Parma back in 2001 for $51.3 million (£32.6 million).
However, Real Madrid might try to use Sergio Ramos, who Manchester United are interested in purchasing, and who has reportedly made it clear that he’d be open to moving to United, to try and sweeten a deal for De Gea. Meanwhile, United are also believed to be interested in acquiring 29-year-old Ramos for their roster, so they could try and offer a money-plus-De Gea deal for the defender.
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
