Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on David De Gea and Top Rumours

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea continues to be linked with a shock Old Trafford exit. Meanwhile, the Red Devils' mooted bid for Borussia Dortmund centre-back Mats Hummels has been played down by sources in Germany.

First, though, there's the news of Real Madrid's intention to steal away United's brilliant shot-stopper De Gea. The La Liga giants are reportedly ready to pay £30 million for the 24-year-old.

That's according to Daily Mirror reporters John Cross and David McDonnell. The pair suggest Los Blancos view De Gea as the perfect replacement for erratic veteran Iker Casillas.

That perception makes sense when considering De Gea's stunning form this season. He's been a match-winner for United, despite playing behind an injury-hit defence that changes personnel and tactics by the game.

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Of course, there's also the obvious connection with any interest in De Gea from La Liga. The ultra-athletic stopper rose to prominence thanks to superb performances between the sticks for Real's neighbours Atletico.

A return to the Spanish capital might appeal to De Gea, especially since United are engaged in something of a rebuilding project since last season's seventh-placed finish.

However, a report from Sport Witness suggests De Gea's potential route to Madrid may not be so smooth:

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De Gea himself may not even be certain what he wants to do and Real Madrid isn't as easy a club for him to walk into right now as it was a year ago. Iker Casillas has gone through some redemption and Keylor Navas has been purchased.

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Yet the same report also noted how De Gea not renewing his current contract will likely concern some at United. Any uncertainty from either party will only have been heightened by the arrival of Victor Valdes.

The decorated former Barcelona goalkeeper's arrival was always going to raise a few eyebrows. Among them, Manchester Evening News and B/R writer Rob Dawson:

Van Gaal certainly didn't fan the flames when he confirmed Valdes' intention to push for playing time, per Manchester Evening News reporter Simon Bajkowski: "Nobody is happy to be No. 2 and he has to have ambition to beat David De Gea, but it shall be very hard for him."

Van Gaal has at least attempted to play down any uncertainty stemming from De Gea's contract situation. The Dutchman believes De Gea will sign a new deal, according to Mark Ogden of The Telegraph.

Ultimately, it should be safe to assume De Gea will stay at Old Trafford. Although the lure of Madrid will be hard to resist, not too many players leave United willingly.

As the Sport Witness report indicated, De Gea should also be wary of the presence of Keylor Navas. The talented Costa Rica 'keeper would certainly challenge the incoming Spaniard for the No. 1 role with Los Merengues.

At the moment, it's safer to assume De Gea will eventually put pen to paper to extend his stay in Manchester.

Keeping De Gea is obviously great news for a club with United's lofty ambitions. However, potentially missing out on Hummels is not so good.

United have apparently targeted the smart and classy German defender to solve season-long woes in front of De Gea. In another Mirror report, McDonnell had suggested the Red Devils would try to tempt Dortmund to sell with an offer worth £35 million.

However, German sources are not so sure, per Sport Witness:

The opinion of Bild is echoed by many in Germany, including journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft. He believes there's no way Dortmund will let Hummels leave:

Having to wait until summer, or missing out altogether on Hummels would be a blow for United. He seems like the perfect fit not only to solidify the defence but also for Van Gaal's possession-based game.

Comfort and quality on the ball are core characteristics of Hummels' game, as important as his aerial power, according to B/R analyst Sam Tighe:

Those are the attributes United need at the back. Van Gaal loves his teams to build from deep, keeping the ball on the ground and forming passing patterns.

Hummels has been perfectly schooled in this sort of game by Dortmund gaffer Jurgen Klopp and at international level. He's certainly worth the money for a defensively fragile United squad.

Similar to De Gea, though, this move seems a little outlandish, at least for the January transfer window. It's more likely Van Gaal will have to look elsewhere for any immediate central-defensive reinforcements.

At least the United boss will be able to count on having two quality goalkeepers at his disposal.