David de Gea 'to accept major pay cut' to complete huge move to new club after a year as free agent

David de Gea will reportedly take a major pay cut from his old Manchester United contract to join a new club and end an almost year-long spell as a free agent.

De Gea left United on July 8 last year to end a 12-year spell at the club, with his contract having expired on June 30.

There had long since been uncertainty about the Spaniard's future, with United seemingly waiting as long as they could before making a final decision.

There were talks about a new deal, but those talks ultimately collapsed and De Gea left the club as a free agent.

He was linked with a number of potential moves, including to Real Madrid and the Saudi Pro League.

But he has remained a free agent up to now, meaning the 33-year-old will have missed an entire season of football by the time the summer rolls around, as he can't be registered at a new club until the beginning of the 2024/25 season.

According to a new report, though, De Gea could have joined a new club well before the registration window opens.

Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo claim that La Liga side Real Betis are planning a new approach for the goalkeeper, having been linked with him earlier in the current season.

It is reported that De Gea would replace former Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who turned 41 earlier this year.

Their first-choice goalkeeper is currently Portugal international Rui Silva, who has impressed onlookers this season. However, the report claims that Betis could sell the 30-year-old, whose contract expires in 2026, amid interest from other clubs.

Manuel Pellegrini's side currently occupy the Europa Conference League qualifying spot in seventh place, but are only one point ahead of Valencia and have lost four of their last six games.

Estadio Deportivo add that although De Gea would have to reduce his salary significantly from the £375,000-per-week deal he was on at United, the goalkeeper is said to view a potential move back to La Liga 'favourably'.

The 33-year-old graduated from the Atletico Madrid academy into the first team, where he was identified by Sir Alex Ferguson as the long-term replacement for Edwin van der Sar in the United starting XI.

Topics: David De Gea, Manchester United, Transfers, Football

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.