Man Utd confirm new signing is imminent
Just days before the Champions League Final, Manchester United have revealed that they are close to completing a deal for a goalkeeper that threatens to challenge for Barcelona number one Victor Valdes' spot in Spain's World Cup-winning national team.
Atletico Madrid shot-stopper David de Gea is the world and European champions' Under-21 custodian and is arguably the most highly-rated in his age bracket in the world, and Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed after Gary Neville's testimonial on Tuesday that he is hoping to bring him to Old Trafford.
He said: "We've been working on it for quite a while. He is young, very quick, has good composure and presence and would be an outstanding replacement for Edwin van der Sar."
Atletico deny that an agreement is in place but Ferguson rarely discusses transfer plans unless he is confident of a positive conclusion, so the 20-year-old is likely to fight Anders Lindegaard to become the Premier League winners' first choice next season, a battle he would be backed to triumph in.
The jury is still well and truly out as to whether he will be joining the side officially crowned the finest in Europe, with Manchester United currently rated [2.82] outsiders to claim the trophy against Barcelona on Saturday night and offered at even longer odds of [4.1] to deliver in 90 minutes.
From a long-term perspective, it's interesting to note that while Ferguson was perceived to have struggled to replace Peter Schmeichel after his retirement in 1999, they did win the title in each of the following two campaigns.
Will they be similarly effective without their Dutch veteran? They are [3.0] to win championship number 20 in 2011-12...
Published: 25 May 2011
Comment on this rumour - or post a rumour you've heard