David de Gea contract: Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer delivers latest update

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Tom Doyle13 September 2019

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping that Manchester United and David de Gea can agree a new contract after praising the Spaniard as the world's best goalkeeper.

De Gea has entered the final year of his United contract and is yet to put pen to paper on an extension despite extensive talks with the club.

Standard Sport understands that De Gea had agreed a six-year, £375,00-a-week contract with United in the summer, with the keeper also keen on captaining the club.

However, the 28-year-old - whose form has nosedived in 2019 - has not signed on the dotted line yet, with rumours growing that United are considering potential alternatives such as Atletico Madrid No.1 Jan Oblak.

De Gea will be free to talk to foreign clubs from January 1 onwards about a potential free transfer, and United face the prospect of losing him for nothing next summer should he not sign a new contract.

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But Solskjaer is confident that De Gea will spend many more years at Old Trafford, telling reporters on Friday: "I want David to stay here.

"He knows that and David's, for me, the best goalkeeper in the world.

"We've seen that over the years, and I hope that I can make sure that he'll finish his career at Man United at the highest level.

"And hopefully... there's been loads of talks, loads of discussions between David and the club and hopefully we can get it done."

Former United No.1 Edwin van der Sar has been linked with a potential return to Old Trafford as a future director of football, and recently claimed that De Gea is replaceable despite his talent.

van der Sar happy with current role in his homeland.
Getty Images

"The decision needs to come at a certain point," he said regarding De Gea's contract talks. "It's taken a long time now, so it's a case of 'yes' or 'no' but I'm not a director of United.

"Other goalkeepers can also fill the gap. There are a few Premier League goalkeepers playing at the club who can also take the step up.

"I was 34 when I went to United, so there are lots of opportunities there."

One potential problem for De Gea is the lack of realistic alternatives to United - the rest of Europe's elite clubs are well stocked for goalkeepers, with Thibaut Courtois now Real Madrid's undisputed No.1 following Keylor Navas' move to PSG.

EPA

With Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jan Oblak settled at Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, De Gea could be forced to look to Italy - with Juventus a possibility.

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