In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United has requested that David De Gea refrain from joining another club, despite his contract coming to an end.
The Red Devils are urging the player to remain with the team as a contingency plan in case they are unable to secure a new first-choice goalkeeper within their limited transfer budget.
Initially, De Gea had been asked to accept a wage reduction from £375,000 to £200,000.
However, even that offer was rescinded as it became evident that manager Erik ten Hag was exploring alternative goalkeeper options.
Manchester United’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper is hindered by their restricted transfer budget and their priority to acquire a new striker.
The club recently made their first signing of the summer, securing Mason Mount for £55 million.
This significant expenditure has depleted nearly half of their available £120 million due to financial fair play regulations.
As a result, Manchester United has been compelled to withdraw from negotiations for Harry Kane, as Tottenham Hotspur demands £100 million for the striker.
Additionally, their pursuit of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, valued at £150 million by the Serie A champions, is also beyond their financial reach.
With the focus now on acquiring a striker, Manchester United has temporarily halted talks to acquire Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana for a fee of £40 million.
United are desperate to get money in through sales to bolster their transfer kitty to resolve the situation.
All the while De Gea has been left in Limbo on the weekend of his wedding to long term partner Edurne Garcia.
De Gea, 32, racked up a club record for a goalkeeper of 545 appearances surpassing the previous highest set by 1968 European Cup winning legend Alex Stepney.
He also celebrated February’s Carabao Cup triumph by surpassing treble winner Peter Schmeichel’s clean sheets record for the club as he notched up his 181st shut out.
The Spaniard was in top form that day to keep Newcastle at bay as Manchester United lifted their first trophy in six years.
He finished the season with the golden glove as well after 17 clean sheets in the Premier League. The second time he has won it after keeping 18 in 2017-18.
He was the club’s player of the year three years on the trot too from 2013-16, which probably tells you as much about the club’s travails in that time as his excellence between the sticks.
To think early in his career after being brought to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid it didn’t look like he was going to reach 45 appearances never mind 545.