It’s not often that Manchester United take on Real Madrid and win. Not in the transfer market, and certainly not on the pitch. But the Red Devils look set to enjoy a rare triumph over their illustrious Spanish rivals, with the Sun reporting that David de Gea is finally set to put pen to paper on a new contract worth £350,000 a week.
As victories go, this one would certainly be described as “hard-earned”. It’s taken United about three years to seal it. And these have been three underwhelming years in the club’s history, whereas Real have spent them repeatedly winning Champions Leagues and league titles.
But somehow, with a little from help from fax machines, player loyalty and massive wads of cash, United have reportedly got their man to commit.
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The Sun says De Gea’s contract will make him the second highest earner in the club’s history – making more than Pogba, Rooney and David May. Only £500,000-a-week Alexis Sanchez earns more.
Of course, the deal is not signed yet, and there is always a chance the Sun is just reporting this “exclusive” today because they couldn’t think of anything else to put on the back page.
But according to the tabloid, United are “convinced” De Gea will sign. They are set to begin talks with the 27-year-old goalkeeper this month and hope to get the contract settled “before the World Cup”. Keylor Navas hopes the same.
The Ligue 1 leaders are “willing to match” the Belgian’s salary demands of £10m a year, which is roughly four times the amount he gets at Spurs, and they are also prepared to sign him up on a five-year deal despite his age.
Talks between the 29-year-old centre-back and the north Londoners have apparently “collapsed” and a summer exit looks likely, although Man Utd and Chelsea remain keen too. The Blues will be hoping Alderweireld has a burning desire to play in the Europa League.
There is better news for Tottenham regarding their other stars, as the Telegraph reports that seven key men are set to commit their future to the club “in the coming months”.
Chief among them is Mauricio Pochettino, who is said to be on the verge of signing a new deal that will make him one of the best-paid managers in the Premier League and ward off interest from Real Madrid.
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Also in line for improved deals at White Hart Lane are Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Jan Vertonghen, Hugo Lloris, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen. That’s what winning at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 28 years does for you.
By contrast, Chelsea are set to lose nine first-team players this summer, and not just the rubbish ones. The Telegraph says there are “doubts” over the futures of Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois, while the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Gary Cahill and David Luiz could also be on their bikes. That’s what losing at home to Spurs for the first time in 28 years does for you.
Elsewhere, Liverpool and Chelsea have joined Real Madrid and Barcelona in the £22m chase for 18-year-old Valencia winger Ferran Torres (Mail), Everton will compete with three Spanish clubs to sign 24-year-old Ivory Coast and Den Haag defender Wilfried Kanon in a cut-price £2m deal (Sun) and Derek McInnes, Craig Shakespeare, Michael Appleton, Dean Smith and Graham Potter are the leading contenders to succeed Alan Pardew as West Brom manager (Times). A tremendously exciting shortlist brimming with star quality for those lucky Baggies fans.
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