David de Gea looks set to become a free agent when his contract expires on Friday but speculation over his future will be far from finished.
The 32-year-old has been in talks over a new contract for months, with United opting against a 12-month extension that would keep him on £375,000-per-week. But as the summer transfer window and the crucial June 30 date edged closer, promising discussions slowly turned more bleak.
Reports earlier this week suggested De Gea had in fact put pen to paper on a new deal, agreeing to a 'drastic reduction' in his wages only for the club to withdraw the offer, subsequently putting an even lower proposal on the table, which is yet to be signed.
Erik ten Hag's side have been eyeing a new first-choice goalkeeper, with senior figures keen to 'move on' from De Gea's 12-year spell at Old Trafford. But with a finite budget and priorities elsewhere, the offer of a new contract has not been ruled out.
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De Gea's intention has always been to stay at United, and the goalkeeper often cut a relaxed figure when asked about his future throughout the season. Asked last summer whether he intends to finish his career at Old Trafford, the Spanish international made his feelings unmistakably clear.
"Yeah, if it's possible, of course.," he admitted. "If they let me stay here, I will stay here, for sure. I'm really comfortable, really happy and hopefully, before I leave, we can win something.
"I haven't talked with anyone yet but, of course, I would be really happy to be here for as long as they want me, because I want to be here for more years. Of course, we want to push forward, we want to improve. But there are many teams at a very good level.
“They play very good football and this is the beginning for us, so I hope we start properly, build something big and let's see if we can win something. Winning or not winning, just being in this club means more than winning trophies.
“But, of course, we want to win, we always want to win, but representing this club is bigger than any trophy. Manchester is my home. It's a privilege, an honour, to be here and it's one of the best things in my life, to be a part of this club."
Such is De Gea's desire to stay that he has allowed his contract to run right to the end, despite being able to enter a pre-contract agreement with non-Premier League clubs since January.
United's priorities in other areas of the transfer market could force their hand, with around £120million set aside for incomings and world-class additions in midfield and upfront necessary.
Dean Henderson's permanent transfer to Nottingham Forest has had to be put on hold, with fears that the club would have begun pre-season with only Tom Heaton as a senior option between the posts. All of this means a fresh contract offer is not off the table, and if one is put forward at the right price, De Gea is likely to sign it, judging off his comments over the last year.
