David De Gea Manchester United Contract: Latest Rumours Amid Real Madrid Talk

David De Gea is in the process of negotiating a new Manchester United contract extension, according to his agent. Buzz surrounding a potential deal with Real Madrid surfaced amid the discussions.

Continue for updates.

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De Gea Fallout with Louis van Gaal Reported

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Manu Sainz of Spanish newspaper AS believes De Gea and United boss Louis van Gaal are currently suffering with a troubled relationship, summarised by ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan:

Sport Witness provided further detail with another translation:

However, reports in England suggest the goalkeeper is moving toward an Old Trafford extension. United are "supremely confident" of convincing De Gea to stay after Madrid allegedly "cooled" their interest, per John Cross of the Mirror.

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De Gea Talks with Manchester United Ongoing, According to Agent

Sunday, Feb. 9

Rajvir Rai of the Daily Mail previously provided comments from De Gea's agent, Jorge Mendes, who spoke about the rumours surrounding Madrid and negotiations with United:

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I am negotiating with Manchester United about De Gea’s renewal,' Mendes told Cadena Ser on Sunday night.

It is not true that De Gea has found a deal with Real Madrid. I’m negotiating with Manchester United his extension.

"

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De Gea and Manchester United Enter Negotiations

Monday, Feb. 3

Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague initially revealed De Gea entered the negotiating stage with United at the beginning of Feb (h/t Alex Rea of the Manchester Evening News).

Rea reported Balague's comments:

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He is negotiating a new deal with Manchester United and that seems to be the priority now. So I think he will sign a new contract and become the best-paid goalkeeper in the world, ahead of (Madrid’s Iker) Casillas perhaps.

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Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

United signed former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes on a free transfer during the winter window, a deal which could be construed as the club finding a replacement in anticipation of De Gea's eventual exit. Balague highlighted that both players' contracts finish in 18 months, "and it is very clear that Real Madrid want De Gea," per Rea.

"Now the problem is that Real Madrid will have to convince Manchester United to sell, and that is the second part of the story" noted Balague, who hints United won't let their talented stopper leave for cheap.

Balague also took control of B/R UK's Twitter feed during January's transfer deadline day, where he insisted a new agreement doesn't mean De Gea will be tied to United:

United certainly need to get De Gea to sign a new deal before he enters the last year of his contract. The 24-year-old will start to depreciate in value once he enters the final year of his current agreement, an occurrence which would lead to many reports suggesting he could leave for free.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Richard Tanner of the Express recently suggested United will want £50 million for his services. Madrid are the type of team who have no problem spending massively on players—James Rodriguez's £63 million move highlights this—so United will want to receive major compensation if De Gea does decide to return to the city of his birth.

Steve Bates of the Sunday People recently told Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement show that Madrid isn't a club many can resist: 

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Once Real Madrid set their sights on somebody, it’s very hard for a player to resist them and the selling club to resist their approaches.

[...] If he does sign, the contract would probably be the biggest they’ve ever given a goalkeeper but it still might not be enough to keep him long-term at United.

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Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

This is something United fans know all too well with the departures of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo over the years. Madrid are arguably the world's top team right now and look set to battle for La Liga and Champions League silverware again this season. 

United continue to stutter around the European qualifying places and need to secure a Champions League place to give them a huge helping hand in maintaining their biggest stars. A second successive season without continental action could spell major change, especially with leaders such as De Gea likely wanting to achieve more.