Atletico Madrid
goalkeeper
David De Gea has
told his team-mates that he will sign for Manchester United this
summer.
Respected football journalist Guillem Balague made the
declaration on his official website on Tuesday, adding that United
could make the announcement of the signing of the 20-year-old on
Monday.
“Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea has decided to sign for
Manchester United following the agreement of a £17 (€19.5) million
deal between the two clubs,” he explained. “The fee was agreed
around two months ago, with agent Jorge Mendes at the centre of
negotiations, but the player needed time to make up his mind
regarding his future.
“The young keeper has risen to prominence in a very short space
of time and after establishing himself as the number one choice in
this, his second season in the first team at his hometown club, was
unsure whether he was ready to leave the familiar surroundings of
home and move to the Premier League so early in his career.
“However, de Gea has now told his team-mates at Atletico that is
leaving to join Manchester United and that his parents and
girlfriend will be joining him in England.”
He continued: “An official announcement could be made on Monday,
but a delay is possible while the player resolves a contractual
issue with his agents.”
The journalist further added on Sky Sports programme ‘Revista de
la Liga’ that De Gea will take his parents and girlfriend with him
to Manchester and that he is currently in the process of having his
ties with current agent Hector Rincon terminated.
Last week Goal revealed that United were
set to secure the services of De Gea in the subsequent two
weeks. The young Spaniard will replace the retiring
Edwin van der Sar.
The news of De Gea’s departure to England comes just a day after
Atletico striker Sergio Aguero declared that he wants to leave in
the summer and has asked the club to consider bids that come for
him.
Fellow forward Diego Forlan too could be on his way out of the
Vicente Calderon, as Al Wasl, who recently appointed Diego Maradona
as their coach, are interested in the Uruguayan.
