For the last few weeks it had appeared to be a near certainty that Spanish shot-stopper David De Gea would be leaving Manchester United for a big move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
However De Gea, who won Players' Player of the year, Fans Player of the Year and was the only Manchester United player to make the PFA Team of the Year, may not be certain to go after all.
United to hold out for world record fee
According to the Manchester Evening News Manchester United are demanding the transfer record fee for a goalkeeper which is currently owned by Juventus who spent £32.6 million for Gianluigi Buffon back in 2001.
Manchester United have also reportedly told Real Madrid that they more than willing to allow their shot-stopper to play out his final year on his contract, if they do not offer the money they want for him.
Risky policy from hard-standing United
While this may be risky as there is a good chance that they could lose their man for nothing next season, it gives the club an extra year to try and persuade him to stay with them and to resign a new contract.
Plus, if they don’t manage to resign him, then at the very least it allows them an extra year to make sure they get the replacement that they want.
While it was first reported that David De Gea was happy to force through the move amid rumours that his partner wanted the move back to Spain this summer.
However according to the London Evening Standard De Gea is now having second thoughts about leaving his current club and his hesitant to force a move, as a result Real Madrid are now chasing Bayern Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno just in case they aren’t able to sign their first choice.
But if Manchester United are not able to keep hold of their man, the chances are that a goal keeper scramble would occur, with Manchester United’s first choice being Hugo Lloris from Tottenham Hotspur.
