Manchester United to trigger De Gea’s extension clause

Manchester United are set to trigger their 12-month contract extension clause in David De Gea’s contract, claims The Sun.

De Gea’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season and United are struggling to convince the Spaniard to pledge his long-term future to the club.

The 27-year-old is considered the best goalkeeper in the world and has previously been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

It was thought De Gea would sign a new long-term deal in the wake of Madrid’s decision to sign Thibaut Courtois over the summer but he still hasn’t agreed new terms.

De Gea is concerned with the direction United are heading in and doesn’t want to waste any more years of his career not challenging for silverware.

United are still confident De Gea will end up renewing his deal but will exercise their option to a further 12 months if they fail to make a breakthrough this year.

De Gea would otherwise be free to discuss a pre-contract agreement with foreign sides in January when he would only have six months left to run on his contract.

United’s current offer is worth a base salary of £375,000-a-week, loaded with performance related add-ons that would equal Alexis Sanchez’s salary as the best-paid player at Old Trafford.

De Gea has not been at his best since a nightmare 2018 World Cup campaign where there were calls from Spanish media for the United goalkeeper to be dropped.

He has only managed one clean sheet in eight league appearances for United this season, one of the worst returns among first choice goalkeepers in the Premier League.