David de Gea has turned down Manchester United’s first offer of a contract extension, but an agreement is expected to be reached.
The Spaniard’s deal is set to expire at the end of the season and United opted against triggering the same one-year renewal option used in the contracts of Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Fred and Diogo Dalot earlier the camapign, as the club look to agree a new deal for De Gea on reduced terms.
According to The Athletic, De Gea ‘recognises’ that he must accept reduced terms to extend his time with the Red Devils and talks are ongoing as the two parties look to reach an agreement.
The 32-year-old signed his current £375,000 a week deal in 2019, a contract which made De Gea the highest-paid goalkeeper in world football.
However, De Gea has less leverage than in those contract talks and is more disposable than in past discussions despite a desire from both club and player to extend his contract.
Despite reservations over his distribution and comfortability in possession, he has improved since a difficult start under Erik ten Hag and the Dutchman has ‘given his blessing’ to a new deal.
United, however, are in the process of restructuring their wage bill in an attempt to remove major disparity within the dressing room.
