Further twists in United’s hunt for De Gea?

As Manchester United saw off Chelsea in the Champions League quarter final, rumours began emanating from Spain saying that United had tied up a deal to sign Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea.

Whilst his agent confirmed there had been contact previously, Atletico were unwilling to do business unless his minimum release fee was met but Madrid based radio station Onda Cero claimed tonight that United had met Atletico’s valuation and had now agreed a 5 year 20 million Euro contract with the young stopper.

This was reported by Guillem Balague around the time of the story breaking but in the hours that followed the story changed.

First it became United had merely met the valuation and hadn’t agreed a deal with the player himself then Atletico Madrid’s Managing Director Miguel Ángel Gil Marín took to the radio to announce that yes a bid had been received but also another team was in the running, Chelsea.

The Telegraph then added Arsenal’s name to the mix (despite them already having Wojciech Szczesny) to further muddle the whole situation! Chelsea already have Petr Cech so if they are looking at De Gea the writing is on the wall for him and if not I don’t see the logic in Miguel Ángel Gil Marín throwing their name into the mix as it’s not like United will up their bid as the release clause has been met.

Whatever the situation may be, if De gea does in fact move to Old Trafford he has a massive job in replacing Edwin van der Sar who again showed against Chelsea just why United are ready to pay big money in an attempt to soften the blow of his departure.