David de Gea’s Transfer Reflections
Former Manchester United and Spain goalkeeper David de Gea has expressed his intent to keep the specifics of his aborted transfer to Real Madrid under wraps until his football career concludes. Currently playing for Fiorentina, De Gea was on the brink of a permanent move to Madrid on the final day of the summer transfer window in 2015, but the transaction fell through due to late paperwork complications.
Missed Opportunities and Career Milestones
After the unsuccessful deal, tensions rose between the two clubs, as each pointed fingers regarding the mishap. Addressing the matter in an interview with Italian publication Cronache Di Spogliatoio, De Gea mentioned:
“I will talk about all that when my playing days are behind me. Sometimes things don’t unfold as expected for a reason.”
He reflected on the missed opportunity, adding:
“We were close to finalizing the transfer, but on a personal level, it worked out well for me because Manchester is where I feel at home.”
De Gea joined Manchester United in 2011 from Atletico Madrid and celebrated significant milestones, including the 2012-13 Premier League title won under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. His illustrious career continued as he claimed the FA Cup in 2016 and the Europa League in 2017, in addition to securing the Carabao Cup titles in 2017 and 2023. After an impressive 545 appearances for the Red Devils, the goalkeeper’s contract expired in 2023, leading him to take a year off from the sport, a decision he now sees as highly beneficial.
Life After Manchester United
Reflecting on his sabbatical, De Gea remarked:
“That year away from the game was one of the best of my life. It significantly improved my mental and physical well-being; I felt a bit exhausted and needed a break to recharge before returning stronger.”
While he received interest from other English clubs, he admitted his heart was still with Manchester United, the club he credits for his substantial career development.
Current Success with Fiorentina
At 34, De Gea has made a strong start to his tenure with Fiorentina, achieving 11 clean sheets in 42 matches last season. Recently, he solidified his future with the club by signing a contract extension that will keep him in Florence until June 2028.
