Manchester United have held talks over the signing of Atletico
Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea, according to the player's
agent.
United's current No. 1, Edwin van der Sar, will retire at the end of the
season and De Gea is one of the star names pencilled in to replace
the out-going Dutchman.
De Gea, 20, has established himself as the first-choice
goalkeeper at Atletico ahead of Sergio Asenjo since breaking into the first team
in 2009 and has been watched by United goalkeeping coach Eric
Steele on numerous occasions. Sir Alex Ferguson also saw De Gea in action when
Atletico played Valencia in September last year.
With reports circulating that United have made a £17.5 million
offer for the Spain U-21 international, his agent, Hector Rincon,
revealed that the Premier League leaders have been in contact and
that their offer would meet De Gea's release clause.
"Well, we did have talks with Manchester United but, first of
all, they always look for an agreement with the club," Hector
Rincon told sport.co.uk. "Anyway, most of the biggest
European teams have shown interest in David de Gea."
Asked if Atletico would be willing to part with their
highly-rated goalkeeper, Rincon said: "You would have to ask the
club. What I can tell you is that his release clause now is €20
million, but I have no idea if the club would sell him for
less.
"Right now, the player has a contract with Atletico Madrid and
if Manchester United or any other team want him they will have to
reach an agreement or pay the whole release clause."
Rincon also reiterated - as he told ESPNsoccernet last year - that
Wigan Athletic once made an offer for De Gea and that recently all
the top clubs in England have shown an interest.
"Well, some time ago, before he became an important player in
Atletico, Wigan made an offer, but the club rejected it," the agent
said. "Recently, I don't want to say any names but all the big
clubs in England and in Europe have asked about him."
