Goalkeeper denies agreeing Man Utd deal
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea has denied speculation that he has already agreed a £17.8 million summer move to Manchester United, just hours after the Daily Mail made the "exclusive" claim that a move to Old Trafford was close to being finalised.
The Mail had been busy congratulating themselves this morning for revealing that an agreement had been reached to bring the Spanish shot-stopper to the Premier League, also boasting that they had first broken the story in March, despite the fact that everyone else was reporting it last September.
However, the 20-year-old, who has already established himself as first choice at the capital club and one of the finest custodians in La Liga, has held a press conference to refute suggestions that a deal is in place, without denying that an end-of-season transfer could still take place.
He said: "There is nothing, it is all lies. I know nothing about offers from any team, whether it is other clubs or a renewal from Atletico.
"I have given my all to this team since I have been here, and that will continue today and tomorrow, I will always fight for this team. I do not think the fans have any reason to be against me, we have the best fans in the world and they will support me until my final day, for that I am sure."
Despite the January addition of Anders Lindegaard, Sir Alex Ferguson is widely expected to bring in another goalkeeper at the end of the campaign to compensate for the retirement of current number one Edwin van der Sar, and the Red Devils are thought to have watched de Gea on several occasions.
Other candidates include German international Manuel Neuer, who they will have a chance to look at up close later this month when his Schalke side face the Premier League leaders in the Champions League semi-finals, Pepe Reina and Maarten Stekelenburg.
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Published: 14 Apr 2011
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