Deadline Day Special – Manchester United’s Transfer Update On Their Goalkeepers

Manchester United were quite brilliant against a Leicester City side at Old Trafford, who had beaten them earlier this season, in September last year. The Red Devils had conceded five goals in that game as they let a two goal lead slip twice. Since that time, until now, the United side has improved by leaps and bounds. One player whom United need to thank big time for their current third place in the Premier League table is goalkeeper David De Gea. The Spaniard has been totally solid this season and has been the difference at times, when The Red Devils have managed to scrape through some tough games. The Spanish goalkeeper has attracted the attention of some big clubs across Europe, including Champions League holders, Real Madrid.

Manager Louis van Gaal is well aware of this and has signed former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, on an eighteen month loan in January. Valdes has been one of the most successful goalkeepers in La Liga, with the Spanish giants, winning a number of trophies in their recent golden era. Now, with two such world class keepers in the team, United’s unused third choice keeper Ben Amos has been shipped away to Bolton on a one month loan deal.

Bolton boss Neil Lennon is in need of a goalkeeper, at the moment, as their first-choice keeper Adam Bogdan was injured during training recently. The 24-year-old Amos, who has not made an appearance for United’s first team since January 2012 will is set to enjoy his fifth loan spell, who had joined United in 2008 and has previously been associated to clubs like Peterborough, Oldham, Hull and Carlisle.

Meanwhile, the latest on David de Gea’s future is that the Red Devils are willing to pay a whopping £200,000-a-week for the Spaniard to try and keep him at Old Trafford, but reports from Skysports say that Real Madrid have the upper hand over de Gea’s future and United do not have many options other than to accept the Galacticos’ bid.

Bates, of the Sunday People, believes United will struggle to convince De Gea to stay in England even if the goalkeeper signs a new contract.

“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.

“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.”

De Gea’s current contract runs out in another 17 months and if he fails to extend his contract anytime soon, his current valuation of £50million by the Red Devils would start to look unrealistic.