Real Madrid Transfer News: David De Gea to Agree Huge Manchester United Contract

Spain international goalkeeper David de Gea is set to spurn the advances of Real Madrid and pledge his long-term future to Manchester United.

Jamie Sanderson of Metro reports that De Gea will put pen to paper on a new five-year extension with the Red Devils, worth £120,000 a week. 

Sanderson cited and translated a tweet from Spanish journalist Roberto Bonafont, who is said to have close links to the player. The tweet reveals the details of De Gea's new agreement, mentioned above:

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Madrid had reportedly made De Gea one of their primary targets for future transfer windows, per Sanderson, and the news will come as a blow to Los Blancos.

However, new contracts have not stopped Madrid getting their man in the past. Cristiano Ronaldo famously moved to the Spanish capital the season after signing a new deal with United.

The 23-year-old stopper has been in sensational form for a couple of years now and was voted United's Player of the Season in 2013-14, during David Moyes' difficult tenure at the club.

Shizuo Kambayashi/Associated Press

De Gea originally struggled to adapt to life in England with his lack of size and strength being exploited by opponents.

But he has physically grown since then and started 37 times in the Premier League last year, making 10 appearances in the Champions League, per WhoScored.

However, United writer Andy Mitten had recently suggested for ESPN FC that De Gea would favour a move back to Spain due to his attachment to the capital city:

"

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.

"

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

The news of De Gea's deal will come as some relief to Red Devils fans who see the player as vital to Louis van Gaal's rebuilding programme at Old Trafford.

De Gea is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and replacing him in the short term would be an impossible job. At such a young age, the player already has exceptional experience having plied his trade in the two top divisions in world football.

He is also a link with the Sir Alex Ferguson era and, as United's squad radically changes, that experience will serve the club well.

United will hope De Gea remains with them for the duration of his new deal, but at the very least it protects their investment in the Spaniard.