Gossip: De Gea 'to net new £200k-a-week Man Utd deal', 'showdown' time for Loftus-Cheek, City polish their Stones

The prospect of Europa League football – or even worse – doesn’t seem to bother Manchester United keeper David de Gea.

Even with the horror of a second mauling at Brighton fresh in his brain, the 27-year-old has decided it’s time once and for all to put those rumours of a big-money move to Spain to bed and sign a new £200k-a-week deal at Old Trafford.

Thus claims the (Mirror), with manager Jose Mourinho insisting the deal was sealed by de Gea’s agent Jorge Mendes : “He respected the club. He respected the player. The player was always keen to stay and happy to stay.”

Respect. Touching and emotional.

Mendes is also Mourinho’s agent.

Paul Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, has not yet received such warmth.

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Meanwhile, our brave World Cup heroes continue to make the headlines.

The (Sun) reports that Manchester City are very keen to extend John Stones’ £120k-a-week contract beyond its current 2022 termination.

An Etihad “source” said of the 24-year-old: “We all know about Stones’ price at the time but it feels like a snip in the current market.

CLUB-BY-CLUB GUIDE TO THE TRANSFER WINDOW

“His performances at the World Cup reinforced the belief he will go on to become one of the best in the world as he continues to mature.”

This maturity will manifest itself in the form of an extra £50,000 a week it seems.

No such fireworks for Ruben Loftus-Cheek though. The 22-year-old helped guide England to the semi-finals in Russia but cannot even make the bench at Chelsea and has been usurped by Ross Barkley.

RF-C will talk to club officials this week about his future and will seek a loan move if manager Maurizio Sarri cannot guarantee him game time (Sun).

Interest

Sarri has reportedly told Ruben that he IS part of his plans but now it’s “showdown” time with a loan to Germany, France or Spain in the offing. Schalke have so far been the only club to show any interest.

But what of Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius, I hear you ask?

Well, the 25-year-old, is in talks with Besiktas, with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp happy for the German to leave (Mirror).

Reds’ fans might welcome this after Karius’ Champions League Final nightmare but if he leaves, Klopp will refuse to sanction a move for Simon Mignolet, with the Reds boss ready to keep one of his keepers to act as a number two to Alisson, so for every plus…

Speaking of Brazil stopper Alisson, the (Telegraph) reports that Liverpool have been using rugby tackle bags to prepare him for the rough and tumble of life in the Premier League which is ironic as Karius has been using a punchbag with Alisson’s face on in recent weeks.

And the Anfield faithful should also prepare for the departure of Divock Orgi with Borussia Dortmund ready to make some sort of bid for the 23-year-old Belgian (Liverpool Echo).

Aston Villa are considering a loan move for 21-year-old Reds winger Sheyi Ojo (Birmingham Live). That Anfield exit door will need some WD40 on its hinges.

More worrying news for relegation-haunted Arsenal.

After suffering their worst start to a season in 26 years, the (Sun) ladles on the misery yet further by revealing the Gunners have made no progress on a new deal for Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Looms

The 27-year-old’s contract expires in the summer, meaning the spectre of a free transfer looms almost as large as a midweek trip to Peterborough next season.

One player not fooled by all this “best League in the world” guff is Leon Bailey.

The 21-year-old Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea target has signed a new deal for Bayer Leverkusen (Goal), a statement from the club reading: “Bayer 04 and Leon Bailey have agreed a contract extension: The new deal for the 21-year-old runs to 30 June 2023.”

This could also spell the end of England’s hopes of snaring the Jamaican who is eligible to turn out for Gareth Southgate’s over achievers, but he has yet to resolve a long-standing “issue” with the Jamaican football association so there’s still hope.