Without wishing to get into a debate over Ogden's credentials, that article doesn't exactly make any earth-shattering claims; De Gea will be sold this summer, or leave for free next summer, with Madrid left satisfied by either outcome. I'm not sure Ogden would need a great deal of top level contacts to discern something so bleeding obvious.
De Gea Contract Situation
- Thread starter Sassy Colin
- Start date
- Status
Meh, I've reached a stage where I feel the only difference him signing or not signing a new contract for us will make is the amount of money we'll get for him this/next summer.
A few reports saying he has signed an extension of 5 years on 140k a week. Great news if true. Hope the buyout clause is stupid.
Not sure it actually means he's staying long term, but a new deal still ensures good money if he goes. So hopefully it's true.
Why the feck would we insert a clause in his contract? Without one we can decide when/if he leaves.
Doubt it was our idea, probably something we'd end up agreeing to only to ensure he signs an extension.
Just the Mirror to be fair so the story likely holds no credence.
But let's say it is true - a £45 million release clause ? Please say it isn't so. Madrid could cover that easily if they're intent on signing him. Let's take a leaf out of Barcelona's book and insert an eyewatering number just to ward them off, even if ultimately we end up settling for a lesser amount :
Then again David might reject any contract with an unreasonable clause if he doesn't see his medium to long term future at Old Trafford.
But let's say it is true - a £45 million release clause ? Please say it isn't so. Madrid could cover that easily if they're intent on signing him. Let's take a leaf out of Barcelona's book and insert an eyewatering number just to ward them off, even if ultimately we end up settling for a lesser amount :
Then again David might reject any contract with an unreasonable clause if he doesn't see his medium to long term future at Old Trafford.
A release clause reflecting approx. his market value if he's tied up long term? Nah, that's pretty stupid.
Please no clause, unless it's north of £70M.
Yes more than likely. As many people have already suggested, an extension may signify nothing more than a short-term commitment from De Gea anyway, with an understanding from both parties that he'll go sooner rather than later (see Ronaldo).
Ya that's more than likely the case. If it's at all possible we should avoid it though.
£45m is a fair price for him.
Would you like to see Sterling sign a long-term deal with maybe a 35m clause
Er, no because that isn't a fair price for him.
Nobody wants to see their own star players leaving, even for what might objectively be termed a 'fair price'.
Well, that's how I feel about 45m for de Gea. Mind you, you didn't pay almost 20m for Sterling and he's not been your best performer for at least a season and a half. I'd definitely price de Gea higher. Also, less great keepers around IMV.
Is it feck.
He's one of the best keepers in the world and could realistically have another 15 years right at the very top level.
£45 million would be a steel.
This. There are several better wingers out there compared to Sterling. I'd only rate Neuer ahead of De Gea in terms of the best goalkeepers.
He's a goalkeeper. In what world is £45m a steal?
In the world were Andy Carroll cost £35 million.
Not to say £45 million isn't an absurd amount, but with the amount of money swapping hands in football these days and considering what he's worth to us for the next decade or two, £45 million wouldn't be nearly enough.
@Barney In the world where he is one of the 2 (or 3) best goal keepers
Is Sterling top 3 in any position? No.
Is Sterling top 3 in any position? No.
While that's true, you also have to consider the overall contribution of a player to the success of a side. £45m is a lot for a goalkeeper, indeed it would be the most any club has ever paid for one in the history of football. Alaba is very likely the best left-back on the planet, but you wont find Madrid coming in with a £90m bid for him, because spending so much on a fullback would be absurd.
Sterling is a British attacking player. Those two things alone mean he would go for more than De Gea.
Goalkeepers will always be sold for less than forwards.
I'd rather keep de Gea than sell for 45m, for sure. In todays market, getting a promising GK might cost 20m, getting a top class one north of 30m. How much do you think Neuer would go for?
Regarding Alba, of course not. But if there was a Roberto Carlos out there today, 60m maybe..
Yes that's a fair point. It's the same reason why I don't want us spending more than £50 million on Pogba despite the fact he is one of the best midfielders in the world and I see him as a future Balon D'Or winner. I'd say £50 million would be a fair deal for De Gea although if I had my way I wouldn't sell for any amount of money.
@Redo91 That would be north of 50m though for the first assurances in almost 7-8 years that our midfield is heading in the right direction.
To be clear, I wouldn't advocate United selling for £45m! I'd much rather United had De Gea, than United had (what is in the grand scheme of things) a fairly inconsiderable amount of money. I was really just responding to Barney's point; objectively it wouldn't be a terrible price for him (we, as United fans, are highly unlikely to be objective about it).
Goalkeepers lose their reflexes in their 30s. Only really smart ones like Van Der Sar stay top level, and we haven't seen De Gea have his level of influence on a defence in his career. So maybe 6 years before his best attribute might start to wain; it's not as guaranteed a 15 year investment as you make it sound.
The world is absolutely littered with goalkeepers who were far better in their 20s, like Cech, Buffon, Casillas, Valdes. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see the same happen to Neuer, Courtois, De Gea and Lloris.
I don't want to go off topic so I'll just talk about Pogba in this one post. My issue with spending over £50 million on him is that he isn't the type of player that is worth that sort of fee. For £50+ million you expect a player that is going to get you 30+ goals a season. The most expensive players in the world have always been attacking players. Pogba, brilliant and all that he is, isn't that sort of player. I'd love him back here but just not for the £75 million Juve quoted the other day.
To be fair :
Ballon D'Or winning British attacking player - Michael Owen - Liverpool to Real Madrid - £8 million (2004).
Goalkeeper Petr Cech - Rennes to Chelsea - £7.5 million (2003).
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon - Parma to Juventus - €51 million (2001).
Ballon D'Or winning British attacking player - Michael Owen - Liverpool to Real Madrid - £8 million (2004).
Goalkeeper Petr Cech - Rennes to Chelsea - £7.5 million (2003).
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon - Parma to Juventus - €51 million (2001).
Neuer's all-round game is absolutely superb, I've got little doubt he'll be an excellent keeper well into his 30's. De Gea and Lloris are probably better candidates for 'early bloomers' though.
Owen's contract situation. We also got Nunez.
If it's the only way he will sign, and it safeguards us from losing him for nothing then £45 million buy out clause is fair enough, the lad is from Madrid it is only natural he may want to go home one day, this gives him the option and an extra incentive not to let his form drop, whilst not insulting us by running is contract down.
It would be criminal to let him go to Madrid for nothing that's for sure.
It would be criminal to let him go to Madrid for nothing that's for sure.
Agree with this except for Neuer.
DDG really does remind me of a young Casillas - brilliant shot stopper but lacks the defensive leadership shared by all great keepers. If he doesn't develop that soon, his time at the top may not be that long lived.
Fair enough. But AFAIK Sterling still hasn't signed a new contract. And the current one expires 2 years after this season so if he doesn't renew, the club's bargaining leverage will start decreasing ala Owen no ?
Anyway, leaving Sterling aside and on topic - my main point was that a keeper of De Gea's undeniable quality (Top 3 in the world on form if not overall who has a genuine chance to challenge Neuer for the crown) should command a higher clause than £45 million considering Buffon (who wasn't the Gianluigi Buffon who became a GOAT candidate yet and was behind Kahn and co. for that era) went for a similar amount almost 14 years ago.
If Madrid want him, they should pay the projection based premium given the amount of refining and experience United has imparted him, on top of the fact that he's only getting started and still some ways of his prime. Of course his is all moot if he doesn't renew and he might even join them on a Bosman...
I'd say about £45-£50m would be a fair price for him to be fair. Not that I'd want to sell him for that amount, just it'd be a good price for him.
Hmm actually not a bad assessment at all. Hopefully he can do his job for atleast another 10-12 years or so.
Maybe in two years time, but right now Sterling isn't worth 35mil.
I do agree about de Gea, but when you sell your top player it's not about fair price, it's about getting as much as possible if you have to sell.
If we put Sterling on the market we wouldn't struggle to find a buyer for 35m.
- Status