The news according to Sport.co.uk is that Manchester United have secured the signing of Atletico Madrid keeper David De Gea. There has been some debate in recent months over whether the future of the 20-year-old lay in La Liga. The signs are now there that he’s ready to make a move.
That is, of course only if you believe Sport, who give you little reason to do so. They claim that United have had an offer for the keeper accepted. The highly-rated keeper is thought to be rated at £20-22m and as such, should there be any truth to the story this signing would represent the British record transfer for a goalkeeper.
Two things about this make me suspicious. Firstly, Sport fail to offer much in the way of concrete facts regarding this transfer. All there is are some old quotes from De Gea himself revealing that he wouldn’t say no to a move to United:
“I know Sir Alex Ferguson already has viewed me. After this season we should look at what happens and who wants to talk can come and talk,”
But that, unfortunately, fails to prove anything – there’s no proof as of yet that any deal is completed or forthcoming. Take every word to the contrary with a pinch of salt. Secondly, would Ferguson really be willing to spend that kind of money on a keeper that is as of yet unproven in the Premier League?
De Gea is an excellent shot stopper, but I would question whether he has the same command over his penalty area as the likes of Edwin Van Der Saar. Of course he’s young, but would Sir Alex be willing to wait for him to mature? If you’re paying that kind of money for a keeper, shouldn’t you be getting the full package?
I hate to say it, but having watched De Gea play, he reminds me somewhat of Arsenal’s Manuel Almunia – an excellent shot-stopper on his day, but rather too erratic and error prone. De Gea is better than Almunia and there’s every chance that he will become a great goalkeeper, but can United afford to take the risk?
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If he reminds you of Almunia then im afraid I dont believe you’ve ever watched him play. This kid is world class and to say he is error prone is plain wrong. Hes not even bad at coming out and commanding his area already at 20 and you have a dig at that as well. If we sign him i’ll come back in a year and you can explain yourself 🙂
David de Gea is the one for us, now that Neuer has decided he wants to stay in Germany.
http://www.fivecantonas.com/wrapped-deal-david-de-gea/
It would be very good business to get him signed and sealed before the window even opens, like we did with Hernandez.
De Gea is definitely the one for us now that Neuer has ruled himself out. Top, top keeper.
http://www.fivecantonas.com/wrapped-deal-david-de-gea/
It’s a gamble, sure, but if it pays off, we’ll have the world’s best keeper on our hands.