Manchester United are set to complete the signing of Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea from Atlético Madrid for a fee believed to be in the region of £17 million.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been on a search to replace the retiring Edwin van der Sar, whose last appearance will be in Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona.
Fergie checked out de Gea when he and United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele went to watch him in action against Valencia back in September. They have been monitoring him ever since.
"We've been working on it for quite a while, we identified him a while back as one we should go for," the Scot told Sky Sports News.
"He's a young goalkeeper, very quick, with good composure and presence.
"He's an outstanding replacement for Edwin van der Sar.
"We were looking for someone with the same types of qualities. One great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability.
"David de Gea is very similar that way."
The move for de Gea is considered as a gamble by some as he has been playing regular first-team football for only 18 months, but Fergie clearly sees something special in the 20-year-old.
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| Is David de Gea on the verge of joining Manchester United? Photo: Angel Martinez/GETTY IMAGES |
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been on a search to replace the retiring Edwin van der Sar, whose last appearance will be in Saturday's Champions League final against Barcelona.
Fergie checked out de Gea when he and United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele went to watch him in action against Valencia back in September. They have been monitoring him ever since.
"We've been working on it for quite a while, we identified him a while back as one we should go for," the Scot told Sky Sports News.
"He's a young goalkeeper, very quick, with good composure and presence.
"He's an outstanding replacement for Edwin van der Sar.
"We were looking for someone with the same types of qualities. One great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organisational ability.
"David de Gea is very similar that way."
The move for de Gea is considered as a gamble by some as he has been playing regular first-team football for only 18 months, but Fergie clearly sees something special in the 20-year-old.
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