By Michael Lightfoot
16 Jun 2011 22:30:00
Diego Forlan, Atletico de Madrid (Getty Images)
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Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan is hopeful that Atletico Madrid team-mate David De Gea can adapt to life in England and become a ‘top player’ for the club.
United are said to have a deal in place worth up to £18.9 million and are close to finalising a move for the Spanish Under-21 international, with Forlan tipping the goalkeeper for big things.
“David will become a top player because he has a lot of ability,” he told BBC Sport.
“But he’s only just had his first full season as Atletico’s number one and is a young guy with little experience.”
Sir Alex Ferguson is without a first choice goalkeeper after the retirement of former Dutch international Edwin van der Sar and has been following the Spaniard’s progress for some time.
The goalkeeper is starring in the European Under-21 Championships in Denmark at the moment and is keen for a deal to be sorted after the tournament ends.
Forlan is wary that the 20-year-old might not settle well in England but he doesn’t want to compare his time at the club with what the goalkeeper could have.
The Uruguayan striker played for the Reds between 2002 and 2004 and only scored 10 goals in 63 appearances.
He added: “You never know for sure whether a player will adapt to a new country until he gets there.
“It’s true that I was also young when I joined United, just 22, but you can’t compare our situations.
“I knew the language and had already left my country, having moved to Independiente when I was only 19. So it was not such a big step for me to go to United.
“David is from a little town outside Madrid and has been at Atletico since he was very young. He doesn’t speak any languages other than Spanish. He is going over with his girlfriend and family though, which will help.”
De Gea would be asked to play amongst Europe’s elite in the Champions League next season but he is no stranger to big competitions as he starred in the Europa League when Atletico beat Fulham last year.