Real Madrid Transfer News: David De Gea £14.4M Bid Reported, Gareth Bale Latest

Real Madrid have reportedly lodged a first bid of €20 million (£14.4 million) for Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.

Marca reports the approximate figure, saying "the final piece of the jigsaw is for the two clubs to sort out the financial side of the deal." The Spanish publication indicated "an agreement (has) already (been) reached between Real and the 'keeper."

The aforementioned figure is extremely low for a player of De Gea's quality. He is on the verge of entering the last year of his contract, however, a factor which severely lowers his value.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Considering De Gea could walk away on a free at the conclusion of next season, United need to sell him quickly if they're to receive a decent sum.

While the club is looking for €40 million (approx £28.7 million), per Jose Felix Diaz of Marca, Real "hope that the deal won't go beyond €30 million (£21.6 million)," according to Marca's original report. If United are to sell, the best-case scenario is to get De Gea to ink a new contract and then begin negotiations on a move.

Sky Sports' Guillem Balague believes no terms have been agreed between the Madrid-native and Real, but he confirms the goalkeeper has a decision to make:

"

He is a target. They have been saying it for a while.

There have been agents of goalkeepers - the top goalkeepers in the world in some cases - who have gone to Real Madrid and said 'how about our guy?' and the answer from Real Madrid is 'we want de Gea.' He has not committed himself as has been published in the Spanish media. He hasn’t signed anything with Real Madrid but he has got a decision to make.

"

AS reports Iker Casillas' position at Madrid won't make a difference to the potential deal:

Marca's headline can also be seen below, tweeted by Football Web:

"

PORTADA | Diario MARCA. pic.twitter.com/NhVMS36qud

— Football Web (@FootballWeb_es) May 19, 2015"

Former United right-back and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville believes the Red Devils should try to include De Gea in a bid for Madrid's Gareth Bale. However, Balague is adamant the Welshman will remain at the Bernabeu next season, as reported by Sky Sports:

"

He is staying at Madrid—end of. There is no story there. Gareth Bale is going to be at Real Madrid next season.

Is Gareth Bale the happiest? Is at the best he can be at Real Madrid? Certainly not. But there is more to come from Gareth Bale at Real Madrid and of course he would like to play in a position where he is more comfortable, play in a position similar to the one that made him famous and made him cost €101m.

"

Clive Rose/Getty Images

United continue to be linked with a move for the ex-Tottenham Hotspur player, as reported by the Sunday Times (h/t Jack De Menezes of the Independent).

John Cross of the Mirror reports Bale wants to be stationed as a striker, not on the wing, to improve his goalscoring form. He took up central positions in England and racked up 21 goals in one campaign, a number he is yet to match for Madrid, per WhoScored.com.

Bale possesses everything United need up top: pace, power and the ability to break beyond defenders. Madrid's need for a new goalkeeper was heightened by Keylor Navas' mistake in the 4-1 win over Espanyol at the weekend, as neither he nor Casillas have enjoyed quality campaigns.

Diaz indicates Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao could "sweeten" the deal for De Gea. The English club were linked with a move for Coentrao during David Moyes' tenure.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

There's a sense that both clubs would be happy by taking the other team's key player but don't want to part ways with their own.

De Gea's arrival in Madrid seems almost inevitable at this point. Although United will almost certainly hold out for more than €20 million, he is likely to move on a bargain fee. Madrid love to sign superstar players for megadeals on an annual basis, but this year, they may grab the quality without paying the premium price.