David De Gea: Manchester United fight to keep Real Madrid at bay by making star player one of their top earners
Spanish goalkeeper remains a top target for Zinedine Zidane but Red Devils are prepared to give him a huge wage hike
DAVID DE GEA will join Manchester United’s top earners this summer — two months after a payrise.
Old Trafford chiefs plan to sit the Spanish keeper down once the season is over and tie down his long-term future.
De Gea, 26, still has two years left on his current deal, and United will take up the option of adding 12 months on top of that.
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Yet with the spectre of Real Madrid still on the horizon, they want to nail any lingering doubts he could be a Bernabeu target in the summer.
He went close to joining them 18 months ago, yet Real submitted the paperwork too late.
De Gea, 26, has gone on to become arguably the world’s top keeper – and United are determined to keep him for the long term.
No figures have been drawn up as yet, but De Gea – who currently earns nearly £200,000 a week – will move up to United’s top pay tier.
And that will see his wages rise by around another third, with the possibility of a small extension to his present terms as well.
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They are also keen to tie down back-up stopper Sergio Romero, who will have 12 months left on his deal at the end of the season.
Romero, 30, has been the regular choice in the Europa League, but despite not featuring in the Prem, United want to keep him.
A contract extension would KO Boca Juniors’ hopes of tempting him back to his native Argentina.