Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has reportedly turned down a contract extension offer from the club. The 32-year-old has been with the Red Devils since 2011, making a total of 529 appearances and winning several titles including the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League and two League Cups. De Gea currently earns £375,000 per week, making him the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world, and talks are expected to continue in the hopes of reaching a positive conclusion. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, United may look at alternative options, with Brentford’s David Raya and Brighton’s Robert Sanchez among the names being linked to replace De Gea.
Gary Neville believes that Raya would be a good replacement for De Gea, as he has only one year left on his contract and could step up to the challenge. Meanwhile, former Premier League goalkeeper David James has urged United to consider Sanchez, who he believes has the potential to be an “absolute monster”. Both Brighton and Brentford have had impressive seasons in the Premier League, with the former currently sitting seventh in the table and the latter in eighth.
Despite his success at Old Trafford, there have been suggestions that De Gea could finally leave the club. It had been thought that Erik ten Hag might look to bring in a new goalkeeper with better ball-playing skills equipped for playing out from the back. However, talks are still ongoing and it remains to be seen whether De Gea will stay at United or move on to another club.
De Gea’s decision to reject the contract extension offer comes as no surprise given his current form. He has struggled for consistency this season and has made several high-profile errors that have cost United points. The club is looking to reduce his wages significantly, which could be a factor in his decision to turn down the offer. However, De Gea remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world and could still have a lot to offer at United or elsewhere.
If De Gea does leave, it will be a big loss for United. He has been a key player for the club for many years and has helped them win several titles. However, the club will need to move on and find a replacement who can fill his shoes. Raya and Sanchez are both promising young goalkeepers who could be up to the task, but it remains to be seen whether they would be able to replicate De Gea’s success at Old Trafford.
In the meantime, United will need to focus on their upcoming fixtures and try to finish the season strongly. They are currently second in the Premier League table, 10 points behind leaders Manchester City, and will be hoping to secure a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League. They also have a Europa League quarter-final tie against Granada to look forward to, with the first leg taking place on April 8.
Overall, De Gea’s decision to reject the contract extension offer is a blow for United, but it is not the end of the world. The club has plenty of options and will need to make a decision on who they believe can best replace him. In the meantime, they will need to focus on their upcoming fixtures and try to finish the season as strongly as possible.