Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on David de Gea as 'keeper Reacts to Exit Talk

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has poured cold water on recent reports linking him with a switch to Real Madrid, insisting he is happy at Old Trafford.

Earlier this month, Marca reported that the Spanish shot-stopper was being lined up for a potential move to the Bernabeu, where he is seen as a fitting successor to veteran Iker Casillas.

However, in an interview with German football magazine Kicker, the 23-year-old brushed off any reports of him leaving Manchester, via Stephan Uersfeld on ESPN FC: "Those are rumours. I am happy here."

Indeed, Metro's Jamie Sanderson (via Spanish journalist Roberto Bonafont) reports that De Gea is set to sign a new five-year contract extension with United worth £120,000 a week.

He has started the season very well for the Red Devils and has been the only ever-present at United during the campaign as new boss Louis van Gaal has chopped and changed as he looks for his best combination of players, per football writer Tim Simon:

While United have conceded 12 league goals in eight games this season already, De Gea takes little of the blame as the defence has been often at fault.

The Spaniard was largely responsible for the Old Trafford outfit's recent 2-1 win over Everton, making a string of excellent saves in a virtuoso performance, per Goal.com's Peter Staunton:

It is no surprise that Real are interested in De Gea, given Casillas is now 33 years old and looking increasingly vulnerable in between the posts.

Though Los Blancos did buy Keylor Navas in the summer, the Costa Rican is unlikely to be seen as the long-term replacement for Casillas, whereas the younger De Gea looks the ideal candidate.

It would be no surprise if Madrid do come knocking at the Old Trafford door in pursuit of De Gea in the future. For now, however, it seems that he is set to stay put at United.