David de Gea’s contract situation at Manchester United may not be as captivating and long-drawn as the Neymar transfer saga. But many in the Red Devils camp will be concerned over losing one of the best goalkeepers of this generation for free next summer. This isn’t, however, the end of confusion in Manchester with reports also claiming that many in the Old Trafford hierarchy want to sell the Spanish No 1 in January if United and De Gea’s camp fail to agree on a contract extension. De Gea, who captained United against Chelsea, has also received interest from Juventus and has long-term admirers in Real Madrid. David de Gea Hails Daniel James for Netting a Goal on His Premier League Debut during Manchester United vs Chelsea (Watch Video).

De Gea, who was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Atletico Madrid in 2011, was keen to move away from United in the 2019/20 summer transfer window after getting concerns over the club’s ability to challenge for top-honours and lack of proper plans and talent in the first team. But despite courting interest from Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, who were ready to break the bank for him, United chose not to sell their top goalkeeper in the just concluded transfer window despite fears that he might leave for free next summer. Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Join Manchester United? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to Speak to Former Red Devils’ Striker (Watch Video).

Latest reports, however, claim that the long misunderstanding between United and De Gea’s camp has drawn to an end and that the goalkeeper is ready to sign another long-term contract with the Red Devils. Both camps have been a negotiating a contract extension for the last two years but nothing new was agreed upon. De Gea and his representatives were reportedly demanding a £400,000 per week contract – the same as Alexis Sanchez, who is united highest wage earner – for his services to the club but United refused to budge in resulting in De Gea threatening to move elsewhere.

But a report from The Guardian states, that De Gea is close to finally agreeing to a new contract with United and has agreed on a £91m deal that will see the Spaniard extend his stay at Old Trafford for five more years. De Gea will reportedly earn £290,000 wages a week, which is in the same region as Paul Pogba's, who after Sanchez is United’s second-highest earner.

The contract, however, is yet to receive De Gea’s confirmation and may not happen at all. Another British tabloid, The Sun, claimed that De Gea has told his close associates that he plans to snub United’s record contract deal and sign a pre-contract with Serie A giants Juventus. De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid for £18.9 million deal as a 21-year-old.

Despite reports stating that De Gea is close to agreeing on a deal with the Red Devils, his pending signature has still kept Old Trafford worried with the worst fear being that they might lose him for free next season. But De Gea has in the past spoken about how he prefers loyalty over money. De Gea is also one of the most loved among the current crop of United players. But football is a funny game and many in the past have changed their minds overnight. De Gea will certainly sign if not now then maybe next year. But the question remains if that pending signature is with United.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 10, 2019 01:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).