He’s staying put, for now
Manchester United have exercised the option to extend David De Gea’s contract for one more year.
The goalkeeper’s deal was set to expire in the summer of 2019, but he will now remain at Old Trafford until at least 2020.
De Gea had stalled over signing a new deal with United, as rumours of a move away gathered pace. Paris Saint-Germain were one of the teams linked with the keeper, reportedly prepared to offer him £300,000 per week.
But United have retained the services of their most important player for one more year, ending all speculation for now.
But unless United’s form improved and they begin to contend for league titles again, it is likely that this move will only delay his inevitable departure by 12 months.
De Gea has won five of the last six player of the season awards at United – an indication of his quality but also a damning indictment on the team’s lack of cohesion on the pitch.
He once again showed his quality this week against Young Boys in the Champions League, keeping United in the game before Marouane Fellaini’s late winner.
After his stellar performance, United boss José Mourinho praised De Gea, calling him “the best goalkeeper in the world.”
“He’s a world-class player,” Mourinho said.
“He’s the best goalkeeper in the world, and if our ambitions are to be a big club, to be a winning club, you need the best goalkeeper in the world and you need also some other players the best in the world.
“In this case, we have the best goalkeeper in the world and I know he wants to stay,” he added. ”I know his agent is happy to do what the player wants and I also know the board wants him to stay and they are working on that. Hopefully, sooner or later they reach a good conclusion.”
