Manchester United Transfer News: David De Gea Interest Confirmed by Real Madrid

Real Madrid have officially confirmed they are interested in signing long-rumoured goalkeeping target David de Gea from Manchester United, according to reports in Spain.

De Gea has been immense for the Red Devils this season, but he is holding off on signing a new deal with United—his current contract is set to expire in June 2016.

Los Blancos are eager to bring in the 24-year-old as a long-term replacement for veteran Iker Casillas at the Bernabeu, with their interest confirmed by Jose Felix Diaz in Marca:

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On the table there is a proposal for a renewal of his contract with Manchester United, hinted by Van Gaal to be worth millions, and interest from Real Madrid, expressed officially last week in conversations held between [De Gea's agent] Jorge Mendes, [Real president] Florentino Perez and Jose Angel Sanchez. 

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Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal recently confirmed that De Gea has been offered a new deal at Old Trafford—reportedly worth £150,000 a week—but conceded he could do little to persuade the Spaniard to agree terms, per The Guardian's Jamie Jackson.

"I am not the boss," Van Gaal said. "I want him to stay. The player is the boss—he can say yes or no. You will have to ask David De Gea, not me. He has to sign. We have offered him a lot of money."

Should the Spain international decide to depart United, the Red Devils will demand a transfer fee of €40 million (£29.5 million) for him, according to Diaz. 

That is a big fee for a goalkeeper, but De Gea is arguably worth it.  He has been phenomenal for United in the Premier League this season, saving the Red Devils numerous points with some breathtaking displays.

Without De Gea, United's bid for Champions League football next season would have ended some time ago.

He has come a long way since his nervy and mistake-ridden first season at Old Trafford in 2011-12, and he is now arguably one of the best keepers in the world.

He has certainly been the best goalkeeper in the Premier League this term, as indicated by his inclusion in the PFA Team of the Year:

United will not want to see De Gea leave Old Trafford in the summer. Indeed, they are likely hoping he will stay for many years to come.

Bleacher Report's Stan Collymore believes Van Gaal's first season in charge at United has been a success and that they can go on and challenge for the title next season:

However, without De Gea, that might not be the case.

It will likely be hard for the Madrid-born De Gea to resist the lure of Los Blancos. He started his career at Atletico Madrid and surely has an eventual return to his native Spain in mind.

Real will pursue De Gea mercilessly, as he looks the perfect replacement for the declining Casillas, and, unfortunately for United, Los Blancos usually get their man.