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What Man Utd have now told David de Gea after 18 months of trying to agree new contract
MANCHESTER UNITED have issued an ultimatum to David de Gea following 18 months of protracted contract talks.
Manchester United have been trying to tie the Spain international down to a new long-term deal for the last season-and-a-half.
David de Gea, however, has refused to put pen paper as he wants parity with United’s top earner before committing his long-term future to the club.
The former Atletico Madrid man wants to be paid a staggering £400,000-a-week, the same sum current United flop Alexis Sanchez receives.
United have refused to meet their keeper’s demands, further prolonging the standoff.
The Red Devils are desperate for the Spaniard to sign a contract extension as soon as possible as his current deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of next season.
And according to the Daily Star, they've offered the stopper a £350,000-a-week deal.
United are said to be optimistic De Gea will accept the contract, which they've told him they don’t plan on improving.
Should De Gea opt against signing the deal and United stick to their promise not to improve their latest offer, the 28-year-old could very well leave the club for nothing next summer.
David De Gea efused to put pen paper as he wants parity with United’s top earner before committing his long-term future to the club
United’s failure to secure De Gea’s services epitomises the current state of the club.
"It has been frustrating because talks have been on-going for quite a while,” a club source is said to have told the Daily Star. "At times it has felt like we've taken two steps forward then two steps back. We want to reach a conclusion."
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager for De Gea to snub a potential move away from the club but recently admitted his future, and that of every other player in his side, is not in his control.
"It's out of my hands anyway, but I'm sure we'll do what we can,” the Norwegian said in April.
Last season was the toughest of De Gea’s career as a string of high-profile mistakes saw him attract immense criticism.
Solskjaer, however, has been impressed by his No.1’s performances and his humility on and off the pitch.
“David's won so many points for us over the years,” the 46-year-old said of De Gea.
“I would say he's the best goalkeeper in the world. His personality is fantastic — he's so humble but confident as well.”