United make steps towards replacing van der Sar
It has been confirmed that Manchester United have held non-conclusive talks to sign the Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea from Atletico Madrid.
Hector Rincon, the player’s agent, was quick to emphasize that United were not the only big club who were interested in signing De Gea, and added that Wigan Athletic had made an offer but the club was swift to reject any advances for their prized possession.
“Well, we did have talks with Manchester United but, first of all, they always look for an agreement with the club.
“Anyway, most of the biggest European teams have shown interest in David de Gea,” revealed Rincon.
David De Gea, who made the breakthrough to the Atletico first team in the 2009/10 season, is seen as one of Spain’s brightest prospects in a dearth of goalkeeping talent that already includes other stellar names like Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina, who has also been heavily linked with a move to United in the press.
Reports suggest that United or any other clubs who are interested in the Spainard’s services may well have to pay the full minimum transfer clause inserted into the player’s contract, which is valued at £17.6m, later confirmed by Rincon himself.
“You would have to ask the club. What I can tell you is that his release clause now is €20 million, but I have no idea if the club would sell him for less.
“Right now, the player has a contract with Atletico Madrid and if Manchester United or any other team want him they will have to reach an agreement or pay the whole release clause.”
It has also been reported by The Times that if the move for De Gea falls through, Sir Alex Ferguson could move quickly for another target on top of his wishlist, Schalke’s Manuel Neuer. The German recently quashed reports of moving overseas saying that he ‘didn’t feel it was necessary to move to England’ to become a better player, amidst rumors of an imminent move to Bayern Munich.
Eat and be merry!