Real Madrid Transfer News: David De Gea Fee Named as Exit Rumours Grow

Manchester United reportedly value David De Gea at £50 million, a sum which may deter rumoured attention from Real Madrid.

Richard Tanner of the Daily Express believes the European champions have a "growing interest" in the Red Devils stopper, who has developed into one of the game's best No. 1s since heading to Old Trafford in 2011.

Nick Sutton of BBC Radio 4 tweeted the Express' morning headline:

Tanner believes United will try to secure De Gea's future "by offering him a £200,000-a-week five-year contract worth about £52 million." This needs to be signed quickly, however, as the 24-year-old's value will drop when the final year of his current deal begins in the summer.

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United are unlikely to risk losing De Gea on a free and could see their chances of holding onto him disappear if Champions League qualification isn't achieved this season. Madrid have continued to swap first-choice keepers over the last couple of seasons—with Iker Casillas, Diego Lopez and Keylor Navas all receiving time between the sticks—but may wish to finally put an end to the uncertainty.

In fact, it's perhaps fair to suggest this is the one position Madrid need to get sorted out. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has a top-level defence, midfield and attack at his disposal, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see president Florentino Perez save his annual splurge for a shot-stopper. Madrid-born De Gea, whose presence with the Spanish national team is increasing, fits the bill.

A £50 million fee would easily eclipse the current highest sum paid for a goalkeeper. Gianluigi Buffon's transfer from Parma to Juventus in 2001 drummed up £32.6 million, an incredible amount for the era. De Gea would become the 11th-most expensive player of all time if he moved for the aforementioned cost, equalling the cost of Fernando Torres and David Luiz.

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Speculation continues to link United with a swap deal for Gareth Bale, but Tanner doesn't believe this will go ahead: "United have played down suggestions they could include De Gea in a swap deal with Gareth Bale. Club sources say while there is interest in Bale, Van Gaal's priority remains strengthening defence and midfield with moves for Mats Hummels and Kevin Strootman."

Manchester United's Supporters' Trust recently ran a poll on Facebook asking fans whether they would prefer to keep De Gea or bring in Bale. Amazingly, 99 percent voted for the first option, as reported by Aaron Flanagan and Ricky Charlesworth of the Daily Mirror.

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Although it is unclear how many supporters voted, a MUST spokesperson highlighted the feelings of many, per the aforementioned report: "With this in mind it signals the challenge (executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward and (owners) the Glazers have to get Manchester United's most popular player signed up on a new contract, before Real Madrid attempt to prise him away."

Madrid may be willing to quietly observe this situation from afar. Should United fail to qualify for the Champions League, there's no doubt a move for De Gea could be a lot simpler.

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The improving keeper has developed into a leader at United, however, and he is unlikely to let his contract run out so he can move for free. United would certainly need decent funds to replace him, despite signing Victor Valdes.

De Gea could be the missing piece in Ancelotti's jigsaw, but right now, he's one of the only United individuals who naturally fits into Louis van Gaal's squad. The touted £50 million fee could be seen as posturing, but as Madrid have proven before, they will have no problem spending such a sum if they genuinely want the player.