Manchester United Transfer News: Jorge Mendes Says David de Gea Talks Ongoing

Jorge Mendes, David de Gea's agent, has revealed that he is in talks to extend the Manchester United goalkeeper's stay at Old Trafford.

De Gea continues to be linked with a mega-money move to Real Madrid, per Richard Tanner of the Express. The United stopper has outperformed his team-mates so far this season and continues to win his side vital points, highlighted with his display during Sunday's 1-1 draw with West Ham United.

Despite constant speculation suggesting he will soon head to the Bernabeu, Mendes has cooled talk by indicating an extension to his current deal with United—which expires in 2017—is being discussed.

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"I am negotiating with Manchester United about De Gea's renewal," Mendes told Cadena Ser (h/t Rajvir Rai of the MailOnline). "It is not true that De Gea has found a deal with Real Madrid. I'm negotiating with Manchester United his extension."

Mendes previously told Dan Roan of BBC Sport: "He has one year left on his contract and I think that he will stay in Manchester. The player will decide, but he's happy there, at the moment."

United fans may cringe when reading "at the moment." De Gea's value will begin to decrease next year if he doesn't ink a new contract soon, a situation that could lead to Madrid picking up him on a free. A new deal would act as a precaution against this, allowing United to gain maximum value for a player who could be tempted by the allure of the city he was born in.

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Sunday People writer Steve Bates recently suggested as much when speaking to Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement show: "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."

B/R UK's Guillem Balague also hinted that this may be the case:

Louis van Gaal recently noted that "everything is possible" but that the club "would like to keep him," reported by Rai. United's decision to bring in a goalkeeper of Victor Valdes' quality as No. 2 is curious, however, as he would be able to immediately step into De Gea's role if a bid was accepted.

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The Spanish duo offer United two of the best goalkeeping options in the world, but it's unclear whether Valdes' January arrival was a subtle way of preparing for the future. Madrid's assault on De Gea is perhaps ominous, so United are right to have a top-quality alternative.

United will reportedly "turn to" Tottenham Hotspur's Hugo Lloris if De Gea does move, according to the Mirror. He is a similar 'keeper—athletic, quick to make decisions and quality with the ball at his feet—but Valdes' arrival renders such a deal unlikely when other positions need to be improved at the club.

Fans will at least be pleased negotiations are ongoing. For now, De Gea remains United's most important player, someone who can make the difference between Champions League qualification and another year in the wilderness. Mendes' comments offer hope that, if United secure a European place, talk of a move will disappear.