January 27th 2010 – Agent confirms interest
“A few Premier League clubs have been asking about De Gea. Especially Wigan, who made an offer which Atletico turned down. Roberto Martinez thinks De Gea is ready for the Premier League but Atletico have insisted they want De Gea to stay at Calderon. Manchester are interested too. I didn’t talk with Ferguson but an intermediary of Manchester confirmed there’s real interest in De Gea.”
February 3rd 2010: De Gea signs new deal with Atletico Madrid
“It’s another step forward in my professional career,” said De Gea. “I’ve spent all my sporting life at Atletico Madrid and for me it’s an honour and a dream to be able to play in the first team having come up through the Rojiblanco youth system. Everything is happening very quickly, but my objective is to continue working as I’ve always done.”
March 30th 2010: De Gea considers PL future
“I was about to go to Wigan but wanted to stay at Atletico and take my opportunity another time,” he said. “The Premier League would be enjoyable and is an option I would like a bit later in life. Now is not the time to move. For me, Van der Sar has been one of the best in the world.”
September 22nd 2010: Fergie misses United’s Carling Cup game against Scunthorpe to watch De Gea
September 28th 2010: De Gea plays down United rumours
“The important thing is that I have a contract here and I’m an Atletico player until 2013. That’s what matters,” he said. “The truth is that everything is turning out well here, and I’m with my family and my friends, which is what I need. I think that is very important. I have a contract until 2013, and when the year is out we’ll see if things are going well, and those who have to talk [about an extension] will talk.”
November 18th 2010: Atletico president claims no United interest
“Nobody has spoken with us. Nor do I have any idea (about this matter),” Cerezo said. “We hope that he will be a Rojiblanco (Atletico) player for a long time.”
November 23rd 2010: De Gea claims he’s staying put
“The supporters can relax, I’m staying here. I’m very relaxed and there’s no reason to move,” he said. “I’m very happy here, I’ve spent my whole life here and this is a great club that deserves everything. Atletico Madrid have given me everything. It’s a compliment that a club as great as Manchester United are interested in you, but Atletico are close to my heart and I want to stay here.”
December 30th 2010: De Gea pledges future to Atletico
“I am very comfortable here, this has always been my club, and I want to defend this shirt for a long time and win titles,” he said. “The club is in charge but I am very happy here, and when things go well there is no need to change.”
February 2nd 2011: No new contract for De Gea
“I have not received an offer of renewal from the club, but it is something that is being talked about.”
March 15th 2011: President has no De Gea offers
“No-one has asked me about him (De Gea) this morning,” said Cerezo. “Ask Manchester about it, but £18million doesn’t seem much to me.”
April 1st 2011: Representatives confirm United contact
“Well, we did have talks with Manchester United but, first of all, they always look for an agreement with the club,” Hector Rincon confirmed. “Anyway, most of the biggest European teams have shown interest in David de Gea. What I can tell you is that his release clause now is €20million, but I have no idea if the club would sell him for less. Right now, the player has a contract with Atletico Madrid and if Manchester United or any other team want him they will have to reach an agreement or pay the whole release clause. Recently, I don’t want to say any names but all the big clubs in England and in Europe have asked about him.”
April 13th 2011: Fergie plays down De Gea link
“On Italian television I am supposed to be signing two players from Italy tonight, so I can place that story along with those,” he said. “There is always speculation about who we are going to sign. So many people throw names at me. I can’t answer it.”
April 13th 2011: Atletico general manager confirms United and Chelsea offers
“Mendes is in England, but not to negotiate a deal for De Gea,” said Marin. “At the end of the season we will see if he wants to go or not. If he wants to leave, we’ll refer to his €25m (£22.3m) buy-out clause. We’ve received offers from United and Chelsea [for De Gea]. He also has an offer from us to renew his contract. We’d like him to stay, but David’s future is entirely in his own hands. The deciding vote looks as if it will be De Gea’s. Is he keen on moving to England, or will he prefer to stay in Madrid?”
April 14th 2011: De Gea claims he knows nothing
“There is nothing, it is all lies,” he told a press conference. “I know nothing about offers from any team, whether it is other clubs or a renewal from Atletico. I have given my all to this team since I have been here, and that will continue today and tomorrow, I will always fight for this team. I do not think the fans have any reason to be against me, we have the best fans in the world and they will support me until my final day, for that I am sure.”
April 18th 2011: United scout and Ferguson’s brother, Martin, goes to watch De Gea vs Barcelona
April 30th 2011: De Gea offered new deal
“De Gea is a magnificent player in the squad and has two years left on his contract. We [have] made a renewal offer,” said Cerezo. “But it does not depend on us. We will speak to him at the end of term and see what happens.”
May 14th 2011: De Gea weighs up his options
“I am calm about my future,” he said. “I have a deal here and during this month I have seen many rumours. But I will decide on the future from 30th June. At this moment I do not discard any situation. Atletico Madrid have presented to me a proposition for a new deal and I need to evaluate many questions. Not everything in football is based on the question of money. The interest of Manchester United in my services feels like praise but I have not signed a document with the English club.”
May 15th 2011: Gill confident of landing keeper target
“We know the keeper we want,” he said. “We are in a good situation with that and it will progress at the end of the season. It is not as though it is a surprise that Edwin is retiring. We have been associated with all the top goalkeepers in Europe for the last six to 12 months. We have made the decision and I am sure we can get the deal done.”
May 24th 2011: Fergie confirms De Gea agreement
“We’ve been working on it for quite a while, we identified him a while back as one we should go for,” he said. “He’s a young goalkeeper, very quick, with good composure and presence. He’s an outstanding replacement for Edwin van der Sar. We were looking for someone with the same types of qualities. One great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability. David De Gea is very similar that way.”
June 15th 2011: De Gea reveals Van der Sar admiration
“The fact they are thinking of me as a replacement for such a great goalkeeper is something I like,” he said. “But it’s necessary to keep fighting and working hard because we are only at the beginning and to reach that level there is a lot more to be done. Let’s hope (I can play like Van der Sar at his age). At the moment it’s difficult to look so far ahead, but I would like to (be able to). I need strength, luck and to take good care of my body because football consumes you. But let’s hope so.”
June 27th 2011: De Gea has United medical
June 29th 2011: De Gea signs for United
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