David De Gea not angling for Manchester United exit

Posted Wednesday, May 03, 2017 by ESPN

David De Gea is not pushing to leave Manchester United this summer, sources have told ESPN FC, despite being linked with a transfer to Real Madrid.

Last week, Spanish newspaper Marca reported De Gea had agreed personal terms ahead of a move.

But sources have told ESPN FC that De Gea has not indicated he wants to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.

He still has two years left on the contract he signed following the breakdown of his move to Real Madrid 2015. There is also an option to extend the deal for an extra year to 2020 should all parties agree.

There is an acceptance among senior figures at Old Trafford that Real offer a significant pull for a player who grew up in the Spanish capital.

However, they are buoyed by De Gea's decision to stay at United last summer and see no reason why he should not make the same choice this time around.

David De Gea not angling for Manchester United exit
David De Gea has made 198 Premier League appearances for Manchester United.

United effectively beat Real on two fronts last summer, firstly by convincing De Gea to stay and then signing Paul Pogba in a world-record deal.

There is also a hope Real could still make Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois their top target to replace Keylor Navas.

United are, however, drawing up a list of replacements just in case.

They employed a similar tactic in 2015 when they had both Navas and Jasper Cillessen, then at Ajax, lined up until the last minute.

Real would have to pay significantly more than a world-record fee for a keeper to prise De Gea away this summer, eclipsing the £32.6 million Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

United would look to reinvest the money with Manchester City exile Joe Hart, Tottenham's Hugo Lloris, Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak and Milan's Gianluigi Donnarumma all considered potential replacements.