Manchester United’s summer transfer activity just took a sharp upturn with the news that goalkeeper David de Gea has signed a new four-year contract that will make him the highest paid goalkeeper in the world.
The announcement caps a remarkable turn of events for the two-time United player of the year was on the verge of signing for the Real Madrid on deadline day but saw the transfer to collapse because of paperwork arriving past the permitted deadline.
While Real Madrid tried to blame United for the failure to get the paperwork completed in time, it is clear from the signing that de Gea was not impressed with the way that Madrid president Florentino Perez bungled the complete transfer.
To rub salt into the Madrid wounds, de Gea had signed an agreement with Madrid that they would have to pay him €10 million if they did not sign him this summer.
After signing his new deal De Gea said:
“I am delighted to be starting this new chapter in my United career. 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. I’m looking forward to putting a difficult summer behind me and concentrating on working hard to improve and help my team-mates to be successful.”
The news of an extension was understandably well received by United manager Louis van Gaal, who said:
“I am absolutely delighted David has signed a new contract.
“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.
