DE GEA NEARS NEW 300k-A-WEEK DEAL
DAVID DE GEA wants to commit his long-term future to Manchester United but is awaiting a suitable offer as contract talks continue. The goalkeeper is keen to thrash out fresh terms at Old Trafford and end any lingering uncertainty after another man-of-the-match display in the 1-0 win at Tottenham. De Gea will command a significant improvement on his current £200,000-a-week contract and would expect his wages to top £300,000 including bonuses. Discussions between the 28-year-old’s representatives and United have been ongoing for some time but without resolution. United activated a 12-month extension in November, locking the Spaniard in until 2020 and preventing him talking to interested clubs this month ahead of a potential free transfer. Several players ran straight over to De Gea after the final whistle on Sunday and are desperate for him to remain their No 1 for years to come. ‘We want him to stay,’ midfielder Jesse Lingard said. ‘He’s one of the best keepers in the world, if not the best.’ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to retain goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez following Jose Mourinho’s sacking. Alvarez, who mentored De Gea at Atletico Madrid, believes he can still improve. ‘I don’t think David will ever stop,’ he said. ‘He can get even better.’ Ander Herrera, also out of contract in 2020, is confident of agreeing a new deal. Meanwhile, Solskjaer has ordered his players to wear official club suits to all games. They are still allowed to travel in club tracksuits, but the smarter dress code is one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s ground rules which has been adopted by Solskjaer.