Louis van Gaal issues contract ultimatum to goalkeeper David De Gea after huge offer
Sports
By
Mirror
| Apr 25, 2015
Louis van Gaal has issued David De Gea with a contract ultimatum after admitting Manchester United have offered him a huge pay-rise to stay.
De Gea, who is wanted by Real Madrid, has one year left on his current deal but has so far refused to commit to a contract extension with United, heightening fears he is off this summer.
United are becoming increasingly resigned to losing the £50million-rated keeper to Real, with Van Gaal admitting they have offered the Spaniard “a lot of money” to stay at Old Trafford.
Despite the offer of a £140,000-a-week deal, which would make him the Premier League’s highest-paid keeper, Van Gaal admitted United are powerless to make De Gea stay put and said the decision is down to the 24-year-old.
“It takes a long time now,” said Van Gaal. “So it can always happen [like that].
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“But I am not the boss. I want him to stay. The player is the boss, he can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
“You will have to ask David de Gea, not me. He has to sign. We have offered him a lot of money.”
Van Gaal has warned striker Robin van Persie, who has been out for two months and who was an unused sub in United’s 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, he must prove himself again to win back his place.
“He has to train very hard and play in the second team and show his qualities again,” said Van Gaal.
“Then I have to compare him with the positions he can play with the players in that position. It’s always the same.”
Marouane Fellaini returns to Everton on Sunday for the first time since his £27.5million move from Everton to United, with a warning from Van Gaal to keep his head amid the inevitable hostility he will receive.
“I have spoken with Fellaini because I know this,” said Van Gaal. “Fellaini is always dry in his answers. He said ‘it’s a game’ and I said ‘yes, but it’s a special game for you’.
“I hope the fans shall receive him like the Chelsea fans received Juan Mata because I like that very much. I hope it’s like that.”
United are still without Michael Carrick, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, although Daley Blind could return for Sunday’s trip to Everton.
“All the players are still inured,” said Van Gaal. “Only Blind can maybe reach the game against Everton. But Jones, Carrick and Rojo cannot play against Everton.”