FC Barcelona set to meet Atletico Madrid’s valuation of David De Gea
If reports coming out of Spain are to be believed, Catalan giants FC Barcelona are set meet Atletico Madrid’s asking price for David De Gea.
Victor Valdes is the undoubted number one player for L'Equip Blaugrana but second choice goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2010/11 season. Pinto at the age of 36 isn’t getting any younger and reports speculate that
Pep Guardiola will let the veteran goalkeeper leave on a free transfer.
Guardiola doesn’t want another second choice goalkeeper arriving at the club, instead focusing on bringing in a long-term replacement for Victor Valdes. De Gea will fit in perfectly with the plan.
The rise of young sensation is truly remarkable. From being a no body in 2009, the prodigious shot stopper has emerged as the undisputed number one for the Los Colchoneros. Atletico has another sensational keeper in the shape of Sergio Asenjo but David De
Gea’s form means the former Valladolid will have to be content with a bench role.
De Gea was made the first choice following the arrival of Quique Sánchez Flores. The youngster made eight Europa League appearances for the club as Atletico Madrid won the first European trophy in 48 years. Atletico Madrid also won the UEFA Super Cup against
Inter Milan earlier this year. De Gea stopped an injury time penalty as the Spaniards won by 2 - 0 score line. De Gea has hit the ground running in the La Liga as the 19-year-old has been the most consistent keeper in the Primera Liga.
FC Barcelona will have to pay in the region of 20 million Euros - the minimum release clause, for the signature of David De Gea. Atletico Madrid is reportedly offering De Gea a better deal that will also take the minimum release clause to an untouchable
50 million Euros.
It remains to be seen whether De Gea will be willing to leave the first team football for a bench role at FC Barcelona. Whether a deal is reached or not, we are unlikely to find out in the near future as a potential transfer will only take place in the summer
of 2011.
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