Jose Mourinho has reportedly already called Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and assured him “he would win trophies” in a bid to persuade him to stay at Old Trafford.

Per BBC Sport, Mourinho’s appointment as United manager—and Louis van Gaal’s successor—is imminent, and he is likely to get straight to work on overhauling the Red Devils’ struggling squad.

It is vital that he keeps hold of De Gea—he is arguably the only world-class player in the current United squad—and Mourinho reportedly already “rang the stopper to ask him to stay” and “to ignore the lure of Real Madrid,” per the Sun (via Jamie Anderson in the Daily Star).

Only a deadline-day collapse prevented a deal going through last summer that would have seen De Gea join Spanish giants Real.

And though the Spain international subsequently signed a new four-year deal with United, Real reportedly still have until June 15 to trigger a release clause which could see De Gea leave Old Trafford this summer for £39 million, per AS (via Anderson).

It was previously reported by Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones that De Gea, 25, would leave United should Van Gaal remain in charge, but he could be persuaded to stay if Mourinho is appointed:

Now that the Portuguese manager’s arrival is imminent, the Red Devils seemingly have a much better chance of keeping hold of their star goalkeeper, especially if Mourinho has assured him of success.

De Gea is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world and deserves to be playing at the highest level, competing for both domestic and European titles.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson left United, that has not been the case for the former Atletico Madrid man.

He has, however, remained at the club and contributed more than any other player in the squad, winning United’s Player of the Season award three years running.

Things could have been a lot worse for United in their current period of transition had it not been for De Gea’s brilliance, per the Telegraph‘s James Ducker:

It could be that his loyalty pays off in the coming seasons under Mourinho, as the former FC Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea boss has a proven history of success, per Match of the Day‘s Gary Lineker:

If he can persuade De Gea to stay on, Mourinho will at least have one area he does not have to tinker with as there is arguably not a better No. 1 in the Premier League.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1Xw3tEu
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J