Skip to content

Sunday Supplement: Real Madrid's pursuit of Manchester United's David de Gea has shades of Cristiano Ronaldo deal

Real Madrid's pursuit of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea "has shades" of the Cristiano Ronaldo deal, according to football journalist Steve Bates.

Madrid prised Ronaldo away from Manchester United in 2009 for £80million after the player stated his ambition to play for the La Liga giants. 

De Gea, who won United's player of the year award last year, has been outstanding again this season, rescuing United on a number of occasions.

The former Atletico Madrid stopper has 18 months left on his current contract and United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted De Gea could be tempted back to Spain as a replacement for current Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

If he (De Gea) does sign, the contract would probably be the biggest they’ve ever given a goalkeeper but it still might not be enough to keep him long-term at United.
Steve Bates

Bates, of the Sunday People, told the Sunday Supplement that he believes United will struggle to convince De Gea to stay in England. 

"Once Real Madrid set their sights on somebody, it’s very hard for a player to resist them and the selling club to resist their approaches," he said.  

"It’s got shades of Ronaldo hasn’t it? Will De Gea give United one more year? It’s been funny this week that Jorge Mendes (football agent) has been stoking the fires and questioning whether De Gea will sign a new contract.

More from Transfer Headlines

"If he does sign, the contract would probably be the biggest they’ve ever given a goalkeeper but it still might not be enough to keep him long-term at United."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Fleet Street’s leading journalists look at all the transfer stories doing the rounds at the moment and what ones will happen before Deadline Day

Bates also believes that a deal to make on-loan striker Radamel Falcao’s move to Manchester United from Monaco permanent is highly unlikely.

Despite failing to impress, Falcao is keen for United to exercise their option to pay £43.5m for his services next summer.

"Falcao is struggling for a long term deal at Manchester United, certainly under the conditions that they would have to pay Monaco the money they want for him in the loan deal agreement," Bates said.

“I think £40-45m is out of the question. So that would have to be renegotiated. I think he enjoys playing at Manchester United and he enjoys the stage.

"But that kind of fee for a player that isn’t convincing people that he’s back to the player he was is way too much for United. If Monaco are going to stick to those conditions, I can’t see him being a United player next season.”

Around Sky