Ex-Man Utd star David de Gea ‘in talks’ to finally sign for new club
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Former Manchester United star David de Gea is reportedly in talks with Real Betis over a potential move in the January transfer window. The goalkeeper has remained a free agent since his release from Old Trafford over the summer, despite being linked with numerous different outfits.
After months of contract extension negotiations, United ultimately decided to release De Gea at the end of last season – despite reports of an agreement being reached over a new deal in the days before the final decision was made and agreed on by the higher powers at the club.
De Gea spent 12 years with the Red Devils and won numerous individual awards for his impressive performances between the sticks, bowing out on a Golden Glove-winning 2021/22 campaign.
The Spain international’s uneasiness with the ball at his feet was widely viewed as the sticking point that prompted Erik ten Hag to rule that United should other options, including Andre Onana, leaving De Gea with no choice but to find himself a new club.
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Several Saudi Arabian outfits have shown an interest in signing the 33-year-old and speculation has stirred over recent weeks that a return to the Theatre of Dreams could be on the cards due to Andre Onana’s poor displays. However, a return to Spain now appears to be on the cards for the ex-Atletico Madrid star.
According to ED, Real Betis have ‘opened talks’ with De Gea to discuss a preliminary deal that would see him join the club in January on a short-term contract. The ex-Red Devils shot-stopper is willing to make the move to the Benito Villlamarin Stadium and is said to have encouraged further conversations about the move.
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Real Betis have implemented a new transfer strategy in recent seasons which has seen them target top-quality players and bring them in on short-term contracts despite their high salary demands that would have made them unattainable before. Isco, previously of Real Madrid, is an example of the strategy being deployed successfully, and the playmaker has been one of the La Liga’s most impressive players since joining Betis as a free agent over the summer.
The Spanish side feel that De Gea is capable of replicating that success in the second half of the season and they are willing to sell current goalkeeper Rui Silva to fund his wages, which have made him the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world previously. Benfica, Ajax and Atletico Madrid are all said to have registered an interest in signing Silva over the summer and Betis anticipate fresh offers in January, meaning that planning for his exit is not unreasonable given that De Gea could become incredibly sought-after as weeks go by and other outfits acknowledge his availability.
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