Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on David De Gea, Nathaniel Clyne

Speculation linking David de Gea with a move back to Madrid may come to nought after Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal said he sees the goalkeeper penning new terms, with Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne also in his sights.

Real Madrid have emerged as the main party interested in signing De Gea over recent months, but Shamoon Hafez of BBC Sport quoted Van Gaal as saying he sees the No. 1 remaining at Old Trafford for years to come:

The Spaniard has been among United's star players this season, and in the face of an injury crisis, De Gea has stood out as the one consistent component, saving the club points single-handedly in their Premier League campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti may understandably be on the lookout for a long-term successor to Iker Casillas, with Inside Spanish Football alleging the Spanish giants as being interested in a big-money move:

According to the Daily Star's Jeremy Cross, the Red Devils are willing to pay De Gea wages of £140,000-a-week and make him the best-paid goalkeeper in the sport.

It's no surprise United value their stopper so highly, after watching him develop from a frail-looking guardian among the English top flight to one of Europe's finest players in his position.

However, a return to La Liga may well tempt De Gea, who grew up in the surroundings of the Vicente Calderon with Atletico Madrid.

Casillas' decline in recent seasons has seen summer signing Keylor Navas earn his own share of supporters this season, and it seems Real are now willing to invest big sums in a new elite first choice.

Manchester United announced the free signing of Victor Valdes on January 8, bringing the former Barcelona star in as an admirable No. 2 to De Gea.

Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond believes the arrival of Valdes could lead to the exit of De Gea, however:

In terms of players who could be added to their defence, Saints right-back Clyne has continued to impress this season and Van Gaal reportedly sees the Englishman as a target this year.

John Cross of the Mirror notes the 23-year-old has only 18 months remaining on his current deal at St. Mary's, leaving Southampton in something of a quandary.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Ronald Koeman faced a test in hanging onto his top assets last summer and saw the likes of Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Dejan Lovren depart for pastures new.

Now, Clyne could see the options in front of him and opt to not sign a new contract with the south-coast outfit. Fittingly, Clyne makes his return from injury against the Red Devils on Sunday, per Southampton's official Twitter account:

Van Gaal has utilised Rafael and Antonio Valencia as his right-back options this season, but neither are of the elite standard their manager is rightly looking to promote at Old Trafford.

This season has seen Clyne break into Roy Hodgson's England setup, scoring two goals and making 11 scoring chances in 18 Premier League appearances, per Squawka.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Cross mentions the Saints are already urging Clyne to agree new terms at the club, but the gaze of Manchester United may prove too alluring for the Stockwell native to turn down.

The former Crystal Palace prodigy, like Shaw, has steadily taken to the English top flight with ease and may well find himself ready for a bigger challenge, with United willing to offer that step in 2015.