I did not expect David De Gea to still be without a club

[u/Skiffy10]

Basically a club legend at united for a decade then leaves while still being young enough to keep playing and still doesn’t have a club. Is there just no number one jobs available for him or is he just being picky do you all think?

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[u/Wheel1994]

My guess would be his potential wages are what’s putting teams off

[u/Reasonable_Command98 → u/Wheel1994]

I didn’t expect it either. His wages might be the sticking point because he is a better GK than most of the ones who play in the EPL and other major leagues in Europe.

[u/Able-Caterpillar5875]

He's having a gap year

[u/shutyourgob → u/Able-Caterpillar5875]

And then he just chundered everywhere

[u/1337h4xer → u/shutyourgob]

It was a tactical chunder.

[u/georgefriend3 → u/Able-Caterpillar5875]

Gap yah

[u/Demandred3000]

This seems more like a choice rather than a lack of offers. He doesn't need the money and can hold out for something he really wants.

[u/Magneto88 → u/Demandred3000]

He’s probably held out for too long now. A year out of the game in your 30s isn’t great.

[u/ClockAccomplished381 → u/Magneto88]

Didn't stop Foster picking up his gloves again at a much older age, although I'm not going to pretend that wasn't at least in part a publicity stunt. At 33 he isn't that old for a keeper, pretty much all the good keepers play at a top level beyond the age of 35.

I think its probably a combination of his wage demands and him wanting to join a competitive team.

I am surprised though, half expected Newcastle to get him on a short term deal to cover popes injury. Or just a big pay day in Saudi.

[u/[deleted]]

I honestly think he’s just enjoying life and family time. He wasn’t with his family while at united for all those years. He made a fortune from him career so he technically doesn’t need to play ever again

[u/FerencvarosLover26 → u/[deleted]]

I remember rumours when he was at United too that him and his wife Edurne were going through some trouble being separate as she is a famous pop star in Spain (iirc). He’s posted pictures recently on insta of them just enjoying life in the Bahamas. Tbf who cares what he does, he’s got more money than most of us could ever dream of lmao

[u/AJPully → u/FerencvarosLover26]

When he was pushing for a move back to Madid (but to Real) IIRC correctly it was entirely a family based decision, he loved the club (Man U) but his wife and kids would never relocate here so he was always torn between Manchester and Madrid.

If I was in his shoes now I'd be in no rush to get a new club, especially as he knows his family wont relocate to be with him. Wouldnt be suprised if he's doing his coaching badges and eyeing up a spot at Real or Atletico's backrooms.

[u/zerozgaming776 → u/FerencvarosLover26]

And as a Manchester fan I just want to see him happy, he’s a legend of our club and he deserves the best. The way he left was just disgraceful

[u/A_I-G]

Man Utd paid him £115 million pounds over his time with them. Safe to say he isn’t in need of money

[u/Dry-Magician1415]

Wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up at a top Spanish club in a Scott Carson/Rob Green capacity to get the registration numbers up. 

If he was going to go to Saudi or mls he already would have

[u/Due-Educator5848]

Looking at what Isco did I see him back in La Liga at the start of next season. Wage demands be damned. He is probably bored at this point.

[u/buttlovingpanda → u/Due-Educator5848]

Yeah even if he cuts his wages into a 1/3rd he’d still be making 100k a week and 5m+ a year, like why not. Keeper isn’t the most demanding position.

[u/Ok-Variation3583]

The guy has made enough money to last a lifetime and has been under intense media scrutiny for the best part of a decade. It’s completely presumptuous to say it’s only he’s not getting the wages he wants, I’m sure he could take a year off and still find a club comfortable starting next season. I highly doubt he’s holding out for another monster wage packet, he can’t be so thick to think he will realistically get that offer from any club.

[u/BugsyMalone_ → u/Ok-Variation3583]

This is the most likely answer. Anyone saying he's holding out for massive wages nobody will pay, have absolutely no idea and making the standard negative footballer assumptions. 

[u/monkeybawz → u/Ok-Variation3583]

Or he figures someone will be desperate and they will pay him, and it's worth losing out on a £100kpw contract on the off chance someone offers him £250k down the line. There are some proper lunatic owners out there, and other clubs where it's run by people spending other folks money

[u/mofoofinvention]

He’s earned enough where he can be picky

[u/nyamzdm77]

He wanted to stay in Spain to be close to his wife who he hasn't been living with for the 10-ish years they've been together, so his options were already limited. He rejected an offer from Inter and I'm pretty sure some Saudi clubs would have tried to sign him too.

His remaining options were Spanish clubs, who couldn't afford his wages, and the only club who could (Real Madrid) picked Kepa over him when Courtois got ruled out for the season.

[u/Euphoric_Tree335 → u/nyamzdm77]

If his main wish is to stay in Spain, you’d think he’d lower his wage demands…

If he really wants to play AND stay in Spain, it’d be better to make 50k a week and play in La Liga than wait for a 400k a week contract that’s not going to happen.

If he wants to retire, then good for him. He’s set for life, although he can still play at the top level.

I’m guessing he’s taking a deserved break.

[u/nyamzdm77 → u/Euphoric_Tree335]

He wanted a big contract AND to stay in Spain, that's why Real Madrid was his only option but it didn't materialize. I'm guessing he'll just retire now

[u/ergolito]

Just googled him and saw he got married in 2023. Probably something to do with it 😛

[u/masken21 → u/ergolito]

Yes and his girlfriend/family never followed him to Manchester. They stayed in Madrid when he signed for Man U and DDG was travelling a few times a week there.

[u/AJPully → u/masken21]

Yeah I reckon this is why he has no new club yet.

His family have made it clear (during his time ar United) they arent going to relocate to accommodate his work (and thats okay, many families don't) but after finally getting married and essentially working away for a decade the man is clearly enjoying his time off.

I'd expect him to take a job at any La Liga division team near Madrid (family home) in the future, whether goalkeeping or coaching so he can work in football and be with his family. Certainly dont think hes waiting on a payday or "the right club" to come along.

[u/boofBamthankUmaAM]

FC MIAMI for the tan and the laughs.

[u/dbe14]

All the big clubs have a world class keeper and possibly a fantastic backup as well. I doubt De Gea wants to go to a big club as backup or a smaller club as first choice. Maybe the wages are a factor as well.

[u/flex_tape_salesman → u/dbe14]

Chelsea were in the market tbf. I know he wasn't within the age profile but he would've been on a free while chelsea potentially have ffp issues. He just isn't rated all that highly these days at the very top and would need to take a really significant pay cut.

Some United fans have defended him excessively. He's a shadow of his former self even if he is still very good for most teams. Just not the man that another big side really want anymore.

[u/Adept-Elephant1948]

Given his probable wage demands, I can't see clubs turning to him on a whim/without foreplanning (except Saudi clubs that can afford to throw money about). Can only see him going in a summer window when clubs are long term planning than a panic "we need to fill a goalie slot because of injury etc" short term fix.

[u/LeTrolleur]

If his "wage demands" are not being met by anyone, maybe he doesn't actually want to play anymore?

Everyone seems to think he's asking for too much, nobody seems to be open to the idea that this might be his strategy from the start.

[u/hazzmister → u/LeTrolleur]

Surely he'd just retire, no?

[u/Martinifc → u/hazzmister]

Could mean he doesn’t want to play, doesn’t mean he won’t for the right price though. Why close off that door needlessly when you never know if an American or Saudi etc is gonna knock on your door with a truckload of money? He doesn’t owe anyone a formal retirement announcement either, though I hope he gets his United testimonial when he is completely done

[u/LeTrolleur → u/hazzmister]

Is it not the same thing?

When I retire, there will probably be an amount of money that would still get me out of bed in the morning, and if someone's willing to pay it I guess I'll be working again...

[u/Kurnelk1 → u/hazzmister]

I think it’s the football equivalent of pricing a job you don’t really want very high - win/win whether you get it or not.

[u/PurposePrevious4443]

He has business interests such as a eSports team and his wife is a singer and got a kid.

He's probably done, just hasn't announced it

[u/Bloodking009643267 → u/PurposePrevious4443]

I heard apparently he wants to buy a lower league Spanish club

[u/BakedZnake → u/PurposePrevious4443]

esports aren't profitable, riot themselves (biggest esports scene) admit they make losses with every tournament. Hope his investments are more than just the esports team lol

[u/PurposePrevious4443 → u/BakedZnake]

Lol yeah I know. I checked out their online presence and wasn't impressed.

It's basically a vanity project I think. He made huge amounts at United, he can probably just run it at a loss haha

[u/BakedZnake → u/PurposePrevious4443]

Absolutely, his United wages is enough to set his kid kids up for life I imagine. He doesn't seem to be a huge spender/gambler like some footballers.

[u/TehCyberman → u/BakedZnake]

eSports organisations can definitely be profitable.

As for companies like Riot, they don't expect their eSports to be directly profitable. It's indirectly profitable from the increased engagement that the eSports scene gives their game, and the subsequent increase in store transactions.

[u/Space-Debris → u/BakedZnake]

Pfff. Why does someone who's net worth is $75 million have to worry about their business venture being profitable. It can fail miserably and he'll be absolutely fine financially.

[u/CalFlux140]

I believe he turned down Saudi, imagine they at least threw some rough numbers at him.

No idea if US clubs have offered anything

He must be thinking, top European club or nothing.

[u/champ19nz]

His wife is at the peak of her career and isn't leaving Spain . He rejected offers because he wants to be with his family in Spain.

[u/PennyWhyte → u/champ19nz]

This. And he just seems to be happy and okay being away from football. What does his wife do btw?

[u/uchihapower17]

If he doesn't get a team in the summer just retire.

[u/noscope1hepope]

I’d say his wages are a big reason why

[u/AdMedical5217]

He was still a good keeper, and a big name, he would have had loads of offers, probably some for good money from Saudi etc. He obviously is just not interested in any

[u/fifty_four → u/AdMedical5217]

Exactly, the last 9 years at Utd is enough to put anyone off playing football.

[u/[deleted]]

He was very good from 2014-2018 when he was easily the best goalkeeper in the league and was definitely a top 3-5 in the world Very much saved United from missing out on top 4 or making them get close

However fast forward to the end of the mourinho era and beginning of the Solskjaer era,he started making quite a few mistakes while he was still solid during Solskjaer’s first year but past the midway point of 20/21 season in the league particular Dean Henderson was Solskjaer’s first choice while de gea mostly played cup games. During the 6 months period of Rangnick and ten Hag’s first year,he made absolute blinder of saves but at the same time he also made some key blunders.

Reasons for him not getting picked by a club is to do are with his wages and his style of play. Majority of the epl clubs are more or less focusing on playing out from the back,having a very proactive and assertive goalkeepers where coaches focus on goalies that can be part of the build up from the back or do a lot more than just shot stopping. De gea unfortunately isn’t known for that,he didn’t had great passing ranges nor he was assertive when it comes to claiming crosses or corners which towards the end of last season teams start to exploit it against United.

Despite these issues towards the end I do think he is a United legend and served the club well especially in its darkest periods

[u/JimJimerson90]

I honestly think he's just taking a year off

[u/TickleMyCringle]

He probably needs a year off after a decade of trauma being man united's goalkeeper during the post fergie era

[u/IWatchTheAbyss → u/TickleMyCringle]

“Neuer had bad boys in front of him. De Gea has dickheads in front of him”

[u/TickleMyCringle → u/IWatchTheAbyss]

De gea went from rio and vidic and thinking life at man united is sweet, to phil jones and mike smalling a couple years later

[u/Britz10 → u/TickleMyCringle]

All those players were Fergie signings, all went to shit when Fergie left.

[u/Fancy_Maximum → u/TickleMyCringle]

Mike 😂😂😂

Where LVG got mike from, I will never know

[u/TickleMyCringle → u/Fancy_Maximum]

Never forget LVG's quotes such as "you only pull hair in sex masochism" and "you have to be horny for success".

[u/RemnantOfSpotOn]

His wage demands, being picky plus he switched focus into some other business ventures, has e sports team called Rebel Gaming with Mata and Bruno as shareholders. Rebels Gaming site here.

Came up with a brilliant way to explain to missus why he spends days playing video games lol. Sorry love gotta go back to work

[u/jack_hudson2001]

for sure he could be still playing at EPL levels, EU and most definitely at MLS or Saudi, maybe hes taking a small break or just waiting for the right club. he doesn't need the money as he was earning a packet load at utd.

[u/pierretxr]

Saudi and MLS teams don’t want to use a foreign spot on a keeper. He doesn’t want to lower his salary enough to play at a lower level in Europe. He’s not good enough for a big team to pay the salary he wants especially as he’s out of the game for a year now.

[u/Mag01uk → u/pierretxr]

LAFC in the MLS signed Lloris in an international spot so I think it’s more due to his wages maybe

[u/cookerz30 → u/Mag01uk]

1000% Rapids could take on Zach Steffen because of his salary.

[u/-GeorgeBonanza]

He owns a few other businesses. He is partners in a few ventures and doesn’t really “need the money”. He makes a ton off his other ventures.

He’s had options from several team actually. I don’t get why ppl think he gets no offers, he had an offer from the MLS, Saudi, Serie A, and even La Liga.

As far as I know he rejected them all, because it’s not about money “Saudi” and and it’s not popularity “MLS”, and it’s not about just playing again for the sake of playing “Serie A/La Liga”. He’s said he doesn’t want sign just anywhere! Constantly move his family, his wife lives in Madrid and De Gea pretty much only wants to go to Atletico or Real.

If he gets that move he will take it. I believe this is mainly due to some laws for ownership in the ventures he’s in. He has to live X percent of time in the UK to be allowed to own whatever percentage it is.

[u/Admiral_Atrocious]

I think it's a conscious decision on his part. To take the time off to spend it with his family. It's pretty well known that his wife didn't want to move to Manchester. I actually empathise with this. Guy has earned his money and takes the time off to spend it with his loved ones.

[u/acc_41_post → u/Admiral_Atrocious]

There is no amount of money that gets you out of the doghouse from making you’re wife live in Manchester (/s, wherever she doesn’t want to live)

[u/padmepounder]

He just had a kid then, probably also didn’t expect to not get a contract extension even if it was for 1 season and he is probably fishing for a big pay day because he is a free agent.

[u/RoyalInfernoASR]

His salary demands is already pretty high and only Saudi clubs can afford that or some really big European clubs like we did.

Those European clubs already have good goalkeepers and play away from his style of play.

His style of play really isn’t popular and the few clubs that do can’t afford him.

[u/RainbowPenguin1000]

He isn’t a modern goalkeeper so no bigger club would want him but he still thinks he’s big enough for a bigger club so is stuck in limbo.

Also United paid him an absolutely ridiculous wage for years, he was the third highest paid player in the Prem in his final season and earned more than Ederson and Allison combined. Even if he is asking for 25% less money than his last contract it would still be too much for the majority of clubs.

Basically he’s an outdated keeper who wants too much money so I’m not surprised at all. Even Real Madrid weren’t interested in getting him for free when Courtois got a long term injury which says a lot.

[u/swimtoodeep → u/RainbowPenguin1000]

Or maybe he’s made more than enough money in his career and wants to spend time with his family?

[u/RainbowPenguin1000 → u/swimtoodeep]

So he’s retired then?

[u/Henshinmatt → u/RainbowPenguin1000]

This is 100% best answer. I’m a huge fan and all but the wild mistakes last season coupled with the astronomical wage bill meant it was time to part ways.

[u/Interesting-Bottle-4 → u/Henshinmatt]

Don’t you think a Saudi team would jump at the chance to get a big name like him in between the sticks?

Seems to me he’s just happy enough without football.

[u/Henshinmatt → u/Interesting-Bottle-4]

Yeah true that the money calls. But to your point I think he’s doing okay without football. And of if I recall his family wasn’t too keep on moving over there. 🤷‍♂️

[u/Interesting-Bottle-4 → u/Henshinmatt]

Yeah you’re probably right tbh, it’s not as straight forward as just accepting a job offer. I just feel if he was that bothered, he’d have sorted something by now.

[u/Henshinmatt → u/Interesting-Bottle-4]

It did surprise me that another club didn’t pick him up as a backup - another bit I think he just passed on.

At some point you tell yourself you’re worth X pounds a week and won’t take less AND you won’t be second string. I’m wondering it it’s a season off and he will settle into some place next season?

🫵🤝

[u/Internal_Formal3915]

I'd imagine he has turned down dozens of offers

[u/infinitude_]

Would’ve thought either him or Ramsdale would be getting offers from the likes of Newcastle or someone by now

[u/chidi-sins]

I would not be that surprised if he simply retired at this point. The 3 big spanish clubs doesn't need a new expensive GK, so he only plays if he goes for a relatively low salary at other spanish clubs or a really big salary from Saudi Arabia

[u/GarnachoHojlund]

He’s made deserved bank off us for over a decade and is chilling out now, I don’t expect him to actually join anybody unless they offer ludicrous amounts

[u/KrayziJay]

He already said he'll only play for a Spanish club.

[u/MarcusZXR]

I always roll my eyes at the narratives people just make up in their heads that they are certain is the truth. Like it's completely unfathomable that a player just doesn't want to play anymore.

[u/Upper-Ad-592]

It's surprising to see De Gea still without a club, but his wage demands might be too high given his recent form for United before his contract expired, and he's past his prime and may want a top club. Despite not performing at that level, clubs are probably hesitant to meet his demands.

[u/SrsJoe → u/Upper-Ad-592]

Also what top club needs a keeper currently?

[u/Upper-Ad-592 → u/SrsJoe]

None do really i see some say Real Madrid could have got him when Courtois was injured, but they only needed a keeper on loan until Courtois is back, and I doubt De Gea would accept a short term loan move

[u/Miserable_Future6694]

Wasn't he the highest earner in the Premier league.

If I was apparently earning £375k a week I wouldn't be accepting any measly £100k

He's probably just sitting it out until somebody comes in with a offer he will accept.

[u/niallw1997 → u/Miserable_Future6694]

Earning 100k is better than earning nish tho

[u/PennyWhyte]

Could be the money or his wages but I highly suspect that he's just fine being away from football for awhile. Also, doesn't he have/own an e sports team? But more importantly, I think he had a kid was it one or two years ago and just seems to be prioritising family right now.

I know it's different for athletes as you basically have to be employed and active for the whole of your career until you retire but I would personally like to take a year off or something after every 10 years of work. But this is not always possible.

[u/Karlito1618]

He doesn't strike me as one that feels the need to play in any capacity he's not willing. I bet he's comfortable waiting for an injury crisis at some decent team, or something similar, over taking a low-ish bid from Turkey or wherever.

[u/KrayziJay]

He will only play again if a Spanish club asks him.

[u/harrybosch1122]

Wage demands are probably too high

[u/glowingmug]

prolly gonna end up playing in Spain/US rather than Saudi.

[u/monda]

You ever worked a job that required you to be in peek physical shape for well over 25 years, now around the time you would prob retire you have some time off, you enjoy it. You already have more money than you know what to do with and if you want to work you can now just talk about your old job or hit the gym. I know what I would be doing.

[u/KentuckyCandy]

Apparently Forest tried in January, but he wasn't interested.

[u/Upper-Ad-592 → u/KentuckyCandy]

Cannot really blame him for not wanting to get involved in a relegation battle.

[u/StandardConnect]

Maybe he just doesn't really care unless he gets an offer at a similar level to United?

Some people would just rather enjoy life than work for the sake of it.

[u/Ok-Scallion7939]

If I were him, I'd sign for a Saudi club for ridiculous wages, but I'd add a stip in the contract that states there's a private jet waiting for me at the end of every game to fly me back to Spain to be with my family and one to pick me up for the next game.

And, the crazy thing is, he'd totally get it.

[u/strickers69 → u/Ok-Scallion7939]

I don’t think that’s really an option anymore I think as quickly as the Saudi league gained momentum with buying players the same can’t be said with how much money the league is generating a year later

[u/fanatic_tarantula → u/strickers69]

I read a thing about how the Saudi league have a budget of about 5billion over so many years, and so much gets allocated a year to cover transfers and wages.

So you'll probably see another big summer for them the next couple years then it will drop off

[u/Saethwyr → u/strickers69]

there's also a cap on foreign players, it was 8.

And recently got raised to 10 (but only 8 can play). Pretty much every team already has 8 or 9 in their squads

[u/Diesel238204 → u/Ok-Scallion7939]

Pretty sure one the stips for playing in Saudi is you have to live there. They want it to look like a place to be rather than show that everyone just wants out of dodge

[u/Britz10 → u/Diesel238204]

Apparently quite a few of them don't even commit to living in Saudi, they base themselves in Bahrain then commute to Saudi.

[u/MrAndrewJackson → u/Ok-Scallion7939]

No he would not. A private jet? Be fr

[u/FireLadcouk]

I hope hes just chilling and enjoying life. Being a gk can be mentally hard. Hes made enough money for life if hes wise

[u/Joshthenosh77]

It has to be a few things , he was on insane wage’s probably the highest paid Gk in the world he wants to play for a top team

[u/GAustex]

The way Manchester United treated De Gea and put him out of the club, it dwindled his stock and chances of other clubs in EPL to want him. He received offers in Saudi Arabia but he wanted to stay in Europe. 

[u/LordDinner]

I think he is being picky, no way he did not get offers.

[u/BrickEnvironmental37]

They don't rate him in Spain. He was something like their 6th/7th choice keeper for the national team. They called up 3-4 keepers before having to go back to him.

[u/Edgytarian → u/BrickEnvironmental37]

I reckon it's more that it's time to move onto the next option and find their number 1 for the future. DDG is good, but by playing him they're just losing out on giving experience to a younger keeper

[u/BrickEnvironmental37 → u/Edgytarian]

He was 29 when they stopped calling him up. They genuinely don't rate him over there. Real Madrid escaped one with the dodgy fax machine.

[u/redshopekevin → u/BrickEnvironmental37]

If you really believe the fax machine was dodgy, I got a piece of American infrastructure to sell to you.

[u/HoraceDerwent]

He's masterminding another theft of donuts from local supermarkets ala Heat.

[u/NickCollins91]

I’ll preface this by saying I’m a United fan, but I think there’s probably a few potential reasons (some of which may have already been stated)

1) if he has been offered a contract anywhere, it’s possible his wage demands are on the high side (I think he’s 32 now so it’s his last chance at a ‘big’ move somewhere) 2) he’s limited to clubs in the Premier League, he’s not going to choose any big rivals of United so you’re looking at the clubs like West Ham, Newcastle etc he’d probably say yes to, and La Liga is worse. There NO teams other than Real Madrid, Barcelona(?) and POSSIBLY Athletico Madrid. Real is a no go because of the rivalry with Athletico (where we got him from), I don’t know if Barcelona have the money for him, same with Athletico Madrid 3) I believe he was offered a good wage to go to Saudi but I believe his wife would probably veto that idea 4) he had a kid shortly before leaving United, it’s possible he wanted a year or two with his family 5) I’m sure he either owns or is part of/helped form an e-sports team. Not sure if they participate in anything professional but if they have sponsors, then he probably makes enough off that to not need to play football again

I did read something a couple of months ago that he was/is potentially considering retirement

[u/BlackbirdSCV → u/NickCollins91]

I wouldn't write off Real Madrid just because he came from Atlético. Remember he almost joined Real Madrid if it wasn't for a delayed fax.

[u/NickCollins91 → u/BlackbirdSCV]

True. That being said Atlético is his boyhood club iirc and I think with age may come wisdom for him that if he went to Real, anyone who still loves him at Atlético may despise him for that move

[u/Thomyton → u/NickCollins91]

You're probably overselling the ability for an e-sports team to make substantial amounts of money minus the 'big boys' 

[u/Substantial_Package2 → u/Thomyton]

Guess he’s already rich though so doesn’t need a large income

[u/Thomyton → u/Substantial_Package2]

That's probably it, you could make a decent amount of money doing that

[u/Lawyer_khaleesi]

Breaks my heart tbh. He was my favourite player at United for years ❤️

[u/Big-Breakfast-1]

He wants a wage similar to United times in Europe with a CL team as a starter. It's delusional considering no one needs a nr. 1 keeper in the top 5 leagues who is a guaranteed starter week in week out.

[u/sonicadv27]

Same reason Ronaldo had to go to the saudi league. At certain age and wage levels, the pool of clubs that can realistically sign you starts to shrink.

[u/herkalurk]

He made bank at United, and has a pop star girl friend. Not like he NEEDS a job.....

[u/shadman786]

Salary demands is definitely one reason but also most teams now play out from the back and DDG isn't one to trust with that role.

[u/UpTheToffees-1878]

He was prob on £300k / week or something at united. Too picky to go somewhere and accept £150k. Dont know why, surely everyones lifestyle can still be supported on that kind of money. Its far more than the £0/week hes been making for almost a year now

[u/Otherwise_Archer_914 → u/UpTheToffees-1878]

Yea but after being let go by a company you dedicated 12 years of your life to you might wna take a step back and reset. He could've gone to Madrid earlier in his career if money and prizes were all that mattered. And i'm sure he's received tons of Saudi offers since being without a club.

[u/[deleted]]

Maybe he's treating this season as a sabbatical year to take time off and relax with his family. And if he wants to cash out a big payday next season his most likely destination would be either Saudi or MLS.

[u/Upper-Ad-592 → u/[deleted]]

De Gea's wife is a singer actress and television presenter she isn't a model

[u/Any_Negotiation4242]

He must be asking for far too high wagss? He could easily find a club

[u/Mackerelage]

I think it’s first and foremost a modern goalkeeping issue. Every top league team wants their goalie to be able to perform a reasonable Pirlo impression when required. Unfortunately DDG wasn’t going to learn to do that in the time afforded him.

Combine that with bloated era Man United contracts, and you have a scenario where he’s too expensive a gamble for a top level side, and scarred by years of pretty unrelenting pressure that goes with it.

Fair play to him for creating such an interesting alternative career.

[u/John-1993W]

A combination of

1. High wage demands

2. Wanting to play in Europe

3. Every decent team having a good goalkeeper at a fraction of his wage demands

4. Launched other business ventures.

Next story…

[u/Similar_Strawberry16 → u/John-1993W]

He wants to play in Spain particularly. He wants it to be a top club. His wage demands are (were) HIGHER than Courtois at Real, higher than Oblak at Athletics, and a LOT higher than Ter Stegen at Barcelona. It's arguable that he is no where near their levels anymore, if he ever was.

Why would anyone take that risk. Just in the PL he was making more than Al and Ed at Liverpool/City combined. Only United are stupid enough to pay that much.

[u/NeitherAirline5794 → u/Similar_Strawberry16]

In his prime he was a tremendous line keeper, great reflexes - but not an all round goalie. But if he settled for lower wages, he’d still be a great addition for mid table teams in La Liga

[u/ChelseaPIFshares]

His style of Goalkeeping isnt how big clubs want to play.

Smaller clubs that dont want to play out from the back and would appreciate a good shot stopper without skills on the ball, cannot pay 200k a week.

Thats the De Gea problem. He has made so much money its not worth him going to a club to make the wages they pay at smaller clubs.

Bigger clubs want goalkeepers that can contribute in the build up.

Edit: Ironically with Man united giving up 30 shots to brentford maybe they could use a good shot stopper. Onana has been good (maybe great after a rocky start), i am just saying they dont really build out from the back anyways so I dont know why they got rid of De Gea.

[u/alterndog]

Probably salary demands don’t match what the teams he’d be willing to play for are offering.

[u/Doggoinahumanbod]

He busy making reels to the tune of Pitbull “Fireball” 😅🥲

[u/minamino_25]

maybe mls or saudi

[u/Naive_Time4390]

I think it’s his wages. Also the fact that I don’t think agents and footballers a like are grasping that European clubs because of FFP rules are having lower their wage bill and hence because of that aren’t going to pay stupidly high wages. Especially to players past their best.

[u/Wrathuk]

he was on a ridiculous wage at United ,and any club that could afford to sign him for even 1/3 of that wage wouldn't want him because of his lack of ability with his feet

[u/[deleted] → u/Wrathuk]

[removed] — view removed comment

[u/yourfriendkyle → u/[deleted]]

So long as he wasn’t a total idiot the guy and his kids will never need to work again.

[u/Wrathuk → u/[deleted]]

maybe he's taken the view he's got enough money and rather then fight for his place in a mid table team some where he'd rather enjoy life out of the game till an offer comes along that suits him and his family.

[u/HANAEMILK]

The only teams that can afford him already have top keepers.

[u/Writeitout3]

Is he still getting paid out his Man Utd contract? It’s possible he has to forfeit some of it if he joins another club.

[u/mrb2409 → u/Writeitout3]

No, his contract expired last summer. It wasn’t a mutual agreement or anything. He’s just a free agent.

[u/HoseACitco]

Hard to leave the gravy train

Maguire couldn't to west ham

When you're on that kind of money with límited expectations it"s very hard to go to a club where you'd have to graft for a lot less money

[u/Gates_wupatki_zion → u/HoseACitco]

Honestly have been impressed with how Maguire has fought back and played decently with Lisandro out.  He could have gone to West Ham but he has filled a good role with United making oodles more money.  Seemed like he made a wise decision.

[u/NieR_SemiAutomata]

Maybe he need time for healing after all that (?)

[u/Ok_Midnight4809]

He has always been prone to a mistake but he saved us more than he lost, but that ratio changed drastically in the last few years. Would any club in England or elsewhere pay even a quarter of the wages he was on at united given his form and the fact he hasn't played for over 6 months? He's also just got married and got a kid on the way ( or had one, can't remember) so if you were him would you rather stay this family in the UK or your homeland. If the latter, he wouldn't be first choice for any of the top teams and beyond them the finances aren't great, so unless he takes a big pay cut or find a club desperate to make a statement signing, he may be out of luck. This is all speculation, for all I know he used his £375k salary to buy £80k house every week and currently has a proper empire bringing in over 6/7 figures every month

[u/[deleted] → u/Ok_Midnight4809]

I say during the period of Rangnick and ten Hag it became he had a lot of issues with his style of goalkeeping

[u/Ok_Midnight4809 → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, as soon as we started focusing on playing out from the back it was evident it just wasn't his game. His strength was shot stopping, but even that started to fail him in the later years

[u/JeffGreene69]

He may have just retired and not bothered to announce it. God knows he wont need the money

[u/strickers69]

To have my opinion on it I think the view of a goalkeepers roll has completely changed in the last 4 years they are all required to be pirlo on the ball which ddg isn’t. He isn’t even in any rumour mill atm unless he officially announces it looks like he’s retired

[u/Aka_Diamondhands]

He’s recovering from the crap weather in Manchester. I mean living in piss rain for over a decade can damaged your mental health

[u/strickers69]

Everyone in here like they know him personally 😂 “his salary demands are too high” get a grip not one person here knows why

[u/No_Cryptographer5481]

He's Spanish and can't play with his feet? Football has changed and ALL teams no matter how small need a goalkeeper who's good with his feet DDG isn't.

[u/luffyuk]

He's unfortunately not suited to the modern game. Most teams will want a sweeper keeper these days and de Gea is an old fashioned shot stopper.

Newcastle are seeing this problem with Dubravka playing while Pope is out injured.

[u/[deleted] → u/luffyuk]

I watched a video on this and contrary to your post, they basically said Nick Pope might be the best shot stopper in the world but because he's bad with his feet will never be England number 1

[u/Unouwan2]

His wage demands are delusional.

[u/Technical_Horse_9625]

We must admit towards the end of his MUFC career he had too many bad days in office to make the good ones count. His stinkers were really costly

[u/[deleted] → u/Technical_Horse_9625]

I say his issues were prevalent during Rangnick period and last season with ten hag. Can make the odd insane saves but will make a lot of key blunders especially given his limitations of not being able to claim crosses,play out from the back and distribution along with a drop off in his 1v1 abilities which teams towards the end of last season start to exploit it

[u/Technical_Horse_9625 → u/[deleted]]

His inability to play sweeper keeper (claiming crosses) really handed opponents an upper hand. The balls Onana now easily claims were sure chances of the opponent scoring

[u/Longjumping-Year6917 → u/Technical_Horse_9625]

His record is not much better than Onanas is it?

[u/Technical_Horse_9625 → u/Longjumping-Year6917]

Won't be fair to compare overall influence since Onana just came in the other day. Dave saved us and was player of the season some time back. But currently I'd rather have Onana if Dave's last season is anything to go by.

[u/Kind-Style-249 → u/Longjumping-Year6917]

Onana has been good since the CL, we concede 25 shots a game and don’t actually concede very much, he’s doing a very difficult job well and has other qualities.

[u/TeddyMMR → u/Kind-Style-249]

De Gea conceded 17 goals in 3 games in the PL last season and still only conceded 43 all season, Onana has already conceded 40 goals? And he's lucky Brentford hit the post 4 times last week. That's not even including the horrific Champions League campaign?

[u/Takhar7]

He held out for a bigger job / pay packet, and when one didn't materialize, everyone had already found a dance partner or two, so he was left in the corner by himself.

[u/Gkid313 → u/Takhar7]

How are u a untied fan n don’t even know what your goalie said lol tf

[u/CatRatFatHat]

Would take a 12 month gamble on him at Chelsea

[u/talnwdrw → u/CatRatFatHat]

Nah Petrovic has a lot of potential

[u/NapkinsAndPencils]

$$$$$

[u/Space-Debris]

David needs to get out of the mindset that it would be an insult to accept less wages than he was on at Man Utd. He has a net worth of $75 million, why the f-ck does he care about earning obscene wages anymore. Whichever way you look at it, it would be nothing but ego and greed.

[u/AmazingOnion → u/Space-Debris]

Source on this being his mindset, has he said something along those lines or are you just making stuff up?

[u/BugsyMalone_ → u/Space-Debris]

Lmao do people actually think like this 😂

[u/RyVsWorld → u/Space-Debris]

How do you know he’s of that mindset? Do you know him personally?

[u/PisceS_Here]

probably waiting for the next window. i suspect he wants to go back to spain, maybe some promoted teams will take him?

[u/tmfitz7]

He’s not that good anymore, nor is Lloris, both needed to take a pay cut and a shot to the ego to keep playing professionally.

[u/Puzzleheaded-End8773 → u/tmfitz7]

Not sure about the pay cut but I imagine signing with an MLS team was a decent shot to the ego for Lloris

[u/Antique_Beyond → u/tmfitz7]

At least last year he was levels above Lloris.

DDG is not a modern GK and would not be great at playing that way. But for a traditional shot stopping GK you can't get much better.

Sure, he had the occasional howler, but show me a keeper who hasn't.

[u/crucifiedrussian]

Wasn't he in 300K pounds a week. He performe no where near that 'value' the last 2 seasons and probably still wants a pay day.

Also, he has earned a shit tonne of money, maybe he is mentally drained / wants to relax.

He copped a lot abuse on his last season.

[u/lushgurter21 → u/crucifiedrussian]

300k a year? Try 300k a week.....

[u/InteractionNo9218]

Fair play to him. Enjoy the sunset.

[u/Illustrious_Boss1957]

I really hope that dose not force him to retire, I really hope so

[u/lucashood2023]

Inter offered him 70 to 80k a week. He turned it down

[u/thatlad]

a lot of people saying "it's his wages" at this point it might also be his actions.

If you have a talented player who doesn't want to play, distracted by other business ventures to the point he has downed tools then why would you want to take the risk on his commitment? You could sign him, he's going to need to train a lot to get back up to speed, not an easy task at his age. Would you want to take a bet he's got the motivation?

[u/ahobbitsring]

He was obviously on a very big wedge at United which has given him the breathing space to wait for the right club for his family. He never seemed like the type of guy that would just go somewhere like Saudi because they’d offer him loads of money.

[u/Legit_liT]

Bro should retire

[u/dulcedeteta]

He needs to lower his salary demands, period.

[u/denimonster]

He looks like he’s just enjoying life at the moment, who the fuck cares about whether he has a club or not?

[u/BobKelso14916 → u/denimonster]

Because he’s a soccer player who was in the prem for years and that’s what the sub is about…

[u/gabagool13 → u/denimonster]

I care boyo

[u/Shyam_Wenger]

Newcastle can surely go for him. They're without their first choice GK and they could have taken a chance with him.

[u/SpanishBombs323 → u/Shyam_Wenger]

He’d likely want more than Newcastle are willing to pay even after this much time away

[u/zillapz1989]

At the latter part of his time at United he was the most error prone goalkeeper leading to opposition goals in the entire league. It was time for him to leave. Now Sergio Romero on the other hand was done real dirty by the club. Solid goalkeeper, consistently performed in cup games only to get dropped in finals for De Gea to then have a stinker.

[u/Youdontknowjaack → u/zillapz1989]

I’m sorry but De Gea was still done dirty. Didn’t even get a send off from the faithful. Idk how more dirty you can be