For a moment, David De Gea was all set for Real Madrid — now he’s on course for four more years at Manchester United.
Just last week De Gea looked to be on his way to the Spanish capital, only for his move to collapse dramatically in the closing moments of the transfer window.
The goalkeeper’s contract was set to expire next summer — meaning Real could have potentially snapped him up then on a free transfer — but the Spain international has now committed himself to United until 2019, with the option of extending for a further year.
According to reports, his salary has been raised by £160,000 a week to £200,000 a week, having previously been on £40,000 a week.
De Gea’s agent Jorge Mendes was pictured at United’s Carrington training ground Thursday as the final details of the goalkeeper’s deal were finalized.
“I am delighted to be starting this new chapter in my United career,” De Gea told the club’s official website.
“I have always enjoyed playing with these great players in front of our fantastic fans. Manchester United is a special club and Old Trafford is an ideal place for me to continue to develop my career.”
With De Gea having been linked with a move to Real for the entire summer, United boss Louis van Gaal opted to drop the Spain international from the club’s opening games of the season, believing the saga had distracted him.
New signing Sergio Romero has instead started for the Red Devils up to now, but De Gea is hopeful of turning things around at United following a tough few months.
“I’m looking forward to putting a difficult summer behind me and concentrating on working hard to improve and help my teammates to be successful,” De Gea added.
Van Gaal, who had said throughout the summer that he wanted to keep hold of the player, is pleased that everyone at the club can now put this chapter behind them.
“I am absolutely delighted David has signed a new contract,” he said. “He is one of the best goalkeepers in world football. I am very pleased that he will be part of the team for many years to come.
“David made a very important contribution to our performance last season and he has been the club’s Player of the Year for the last two seasons.
“He is a popular player who is keen to learn and enhance his game. At such a young age for a goalkeeper, he has many years ahead of him.”
De Gea, who played for Spain in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Macedonia, could now his make his first United appearance of the season when it welcomes Liverpool to Old Trafford Saturday.
The goalkeeper has so far made 175 appearances for United since joining the club from Atletico Madrid in 2011 in a $29.2 million deal.