David De Gea has reportedly already agreed a move to Real Madrid this summer, after months of speculation, as the club look to replace Iker Casillas.
The Spanish media are reporting that there has been further development in the Spanish starlet’s reported move to Real Madrid.
On Friday, journalist Josep Pedrerol appeared on television channel La Sexta and claimed a deal in principle between the player and club has already been agreed.
Pedrerol stated, ‘David De Gea is clear…he wants to be the Real Madrid goalkeeper.’ It was also claimed that De Gea has fallen out with Louis van Gaal, which has added to his desire to leave Old Trafford.
When Alex Ferguson first brought him to the club from Atletico Madrid his early performances led to a few raised eyebrows. He made several howlers, seemingly lacked the physical presence to command his area and he looked very shaky when coming for crosses.
However, over the last 18-months De Gea has looked a player transformed. During Manchester United’s unconvincing start to the season under van Gaal, the young Spaniard was a shining light and kept them in many games, helping secure points that have proved invaluable as the season reaches its finale.
While De Gea has come on leaps and bounds to establish himself as a top goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, one of, if not the best goalkeeper in the world for years, has seen his incredibly high standards slip. The Spanish veteran still has a loyal following but few could argue he consistently performs as he once did.
The Real Madrid hierarchy seem keen to replace the Madrid legend for a younger model. Casillas is now 33, and while that is not that old in goalkeeping terms, when compared to the 24 year old De Gea, it seems ancient.
If Madrid manage to get their man, De Gea could well be a mainstay at the Bernabeu for years to come. The young Spaniard has proved he has the quality, and it may well be a wise investment for Madrid, with De Gea’s best footballing years still ahead of him.