David de Gea admits he was on brink of joining Wigan Athletic instead of Man Utd
David de Gea's extended Premier League career might well have been very different had he joined Roberto Martinez at Wigan rather than Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
The Spain international won the title in his second season at Old Trafford and been a regular starter over the next nine consecutive campaigns – with Wigan dropping as low as League One in the meantime.
De Gea, now 31, has now opened up about just how close he came to joining Martinez before links to United – and what kept him from pushing for the move.
READ MORE: Man Utd rejected Sir Alex Ferguson's two dream transfers – and it made him retire
He told BT Sport's What I Wore: "I was in Atletico and it was the same season I made my debut and I was like the third keeper and not even count for the team much, just training. Nothing else.
"So Wigan got in contact with me just to sign for them and I was very, very close to sign for Wigan."
De Gea joined United on a five-year deal back in 2011 after a deal of £18.9million was agreed between the two clubs which made him the second most expensive goalkeeper of all-time.
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He added of his thinking in rejecting Wigan: "I was about to go to Wigan but wanted to stay at Atletico and take my opportunity another time.
"The Premier League would be enjoyable and is an option I would like a bit later in life. Now is not the time to move."
Although Wigan did go on to win the FA Cup in 2013, they were relegated the same year and have bounced between the Championship and League One since.
On signing De Gea, Ferguson noted his potential to be a long-term replacement to Edwin van der Sar.
He said: "He's a young goalkeeper, very quick, good composure, presence and an outstanding replacement for Van der Sar.
"We were looking for the same type of qualities as Edwin, because the one great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability."
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