Manchester United Reportedly Not Close to David De Gea Contract Extension

Manchester United are reportedly still yet to agree terms with goalkeeper David De Gea over a new contract.

According to Naveen Ullal of Sport Witness, the club and representatives for the player are yet to find common ground over an extension. De Gea's current terms are set to expire at the end of the campaign, although United do have the option to extend his stay by a year until 2020 should they wish.

However, it's said by Ullal that despite reports to the contrary, there is still work for all parties to do before the Spain international agrees to a new deal.

"[De Gea's agent Jorge Mendes] met with an official of the Premier League giants last week and one of the topics discussed during the meeting was that of the Spain international," said Ullal. "United have so far not defined the details of a new deal with De Gea’s representatives, due to which, nothing has been agreed so far."

It's also been reported by James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph that the 27-year-old is "reluctant to commit" beyond his current deal.

It means that if De Gea's one-year extension is not activated then clubs from overseas would potentially be able to speak to him regarding a pre-contract from January and a possible move on a free transfer at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

For United, getting De Gea tied down to a new long-term term deal is crucial, as the former Atletico Madrid man has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Journalist Liam Canning commented on how important he is during the 3-2 win over Newcastle United on Saturday: 

Per WhoScored.com, in the previous campaign he was also such a reliable performer for Jose Mourinho's side: 

De Gea has long been linked with Real Madrid, with a move to the La Liga side collapsing at the last minute in the summer of 2015. However, the European champions' purchase of Thibaut Courtois in the previous window surely means they won't be on the lookout for a goalkeeper soon.

Even so, there would be a lot of sides ready to pounce if De Gea did become available. His ability to make breathtaking saves, dominate one-on-one situations and command his area would make him an asset to any team.

United fans won't be panicking yet, although as Simon Peach of the Press Association noted, Mourinho did say a deal would be agreed soon back in August:

Given he's spent six years at Old Trafford and United appear a long way off competing for major honours, it wouldn't be a huge shock if the Spaniard considered his options.

The Red Devils faithful have been frustrated by their team's start to the campaign, as they sit in eighth in the Premier League. If the club were to let the grass grow under their feet regarding the contract of their most important player, anger would surely follow.