Real Madrid Transfer News: David De Gea Contract Plan Set to Block United Exit

Manchester United will fight hard to retain their Spanish international goalkeeper David de Gea, with Real Madrid said to be closely monitoring the in-form stopper.

Simon Jones of the Mail Online reports United will open contract negotiations with the player in an attempt to tie him to the club and improve his terms. 

Jones says initial talks began with De Gea's representatives last season but were put on hold while Louis van Gaal assessed the immediate needs of his squad.

But the manager has now sanctioned United's desire to retain the new Spain No. 1 after his Player of the Season performance last year. 

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David McDonnell of the Mirror also reports the Galacticos' interest in De Gea, saying they are prepared to pay £25 million for the goalkeeper and double his wages.

However, McDonnell says United will not let De Gea enter the final 18 months of his current deal without offering him hugely improved terms in an attempt to keep him at Old Trafford for the long-term.

De Gea's time at United started indifferently with the young player finding the physical nature of the Premier League a problem.

But the goalkeeper's true quality has shone through in the past couple of years, proving that Sir Alex Ferguson was right in choosing him as Edwin van der Sar's successor.

And De Gea has finally displaced Madrid's Iker Casillas for his country, recently tweeting his pride in doing so. However, he also underlined his commitment and focus to the Red Devils:

Despite his imposing form last season, De Gea started out this campaign indifferently—conceding four goals at MK Dons and five against Leicester.

United's defensive problems had clearly affected the goalkeeper's confidence, with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic no longer protecting him. As a result, he has only kept two clean sheets in the Premier League this year, per Squawka.

But the player was recently back to his best against Everton, saving United in spectacular fashion and earning his team the three points.

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It is understandable that United will now offer De Gea a huge deal to stay in England and ward off the interests of Los Blancos.

LvG is slowly guiding United through their most challenging transition of the past 30 years, and losing the 23-year-old will not be tolerated.

But much depends on De Gea's own desire to return to La Liga and play for the biggest club in latin football. 

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Prominent United writer, Andy Mitten of ESPN FC, recently spoke about the risk of United losing De Gea, saying a move back to the capital may be too much to resist for the goalkeeper:

"

De Gea's settled in Cheshire but it's not home, it's not where his close friends live, or where his partner works—she's an established singer in Spain.

The lure of Madrid is considerable and he could become part of a game of chess in which Mendes owns almost all the pieces—and he also knows that United's top earners are on a lot more than De Gea.

"

De Gea is indeed vital to United's long-term recovery and stability, and Ed Woodward must do his best to tie the player to a new deal. At the very least, this will drive his price up and would force Madrid to make a more aggressive move.

The situation mirrors that of Cristiano Ronaldo, who pledged himself to a new deal at United, only to walk away from the club 12 months later.

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Goalkeepers often do not get the credit they deserve when compared to other outfield players, but United's greatest days have always been built on a solid figure between the sticks.

De Gea's purchase was originally somewhat of a gamble by United but it has more than paid off. The player is now competing to be considered the world's best, and his development at Old Trafford has helped him greatly.

Much may also depend on the long-term future of De Gea's close friend, Juan Mata. After the arrival of Radamel Falcao, the Spaniard's United career is in doubt, with Wayne Rooney dropping in the hole.

But if Mata stays, it could also trigger De Gea's own loyalty to his current team.