Five months post his departure from Manchester United, David de Gea remains unbound by any team commitments, leaving the door open for potential recruitment, with a return to his native Spain emerging as a tangible prospect. Recent reports indicate a keen interest from De Gea to make a comeback to Spain after an extensive 13-year stint in England. As per sources, preliminary negotiations between the Spanish goalkeeper and Real Betis are underway, showcasing a mutual desire to strike a deal. Real Betis finds themselves in the market for a new goalkeeper due to the potential departure of their current number one, Rui Silva, during the winter transfer window. The situation is exacerbated by the limited backup options, with only the 40-year-old Claudio Bravo in the wings.
Taking a broader perspective, the Spanish media outlet ED introduces the concept of applying the “Isco formula” to De Gea – a brief contractual arrangement with reduced terms designed to be mutually beneficial. However, the 33-year-old shot-stopper, once the highest-paid player at Manchester United, will only don the Betis jersey if the club manages to secure adequate funds. Acknowledging financial constraints, Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon has openly admitted that the team is currently surpassing their pay cap, making Silva’s potential departure a necessary move to alleviate the financial burden.