Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea will need to accept a significant pay-cut to renew his contract following the introduction of a salary cap, The Daily Mail report.
The Spaniard has entered the final six months of his £375,000-a-week deal and the club have decided to negotiate a new contract instead of triggering a one-year extension clause.
It is now reported that United and manager Erik ten Hag will enforce the ‘Ronaldo rule’ on player wages. The Dutchman is keen to avoid the culture of dressing room jealousy at Old Trafford.
Hence, salaries will be capped at a maximum of £200,000 weekly and De Gea will be the first to be affected. He has now been given a ‘take it or leave it’ offer by the club.
Ten Hag’s decision could hamper United in the long term
De Gea has already admitted that he would like to see out his career at the club. In our view, the 32-year-old is likely to accept a significant pay-cut to prolong his stay at United.
The big concern for United could be with other leading stars. Marcus Rashford is currently in the prime of his playing career and may not accept a similar proposal on the table.
He is already on £200,000-a-week and may resist signing a long-term contract on identical wages when there are claims that Paris Saint-Germain could offer an eye-watering £850,000 weekly.
Meanwhile, the salary cap could also affect United’s prospects of pursuing world-class stars in future. The club are unlikely to land Kylian Mbappe for example with such a rule.
Hence, the decision may not prove effective in the long run. The club are aiming to reduce their hefty wage bill of £228m but will need to pay premium wages for elite talents.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com and Capology.com
