Real Madrid Transfer News: David De Gea Wants United Stay, Says Gaizka Mendieta

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea will stay at Old Trafford past the summer despite Real Madrid interest, according to former Spain midfielder Gaizka Mendieta.

Spain international De Gea has had a brilliant season with the Red Devils and has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabeu, per Jose Felix Diaz in Marca. 

With just one year left on his contract at Old Trafford, rumours have abounded that the 24-year-old De Gea will take up the opportunity to return to his city of birth in the summer, having left Atletico Madrid for Manchester in 2011, per Sky Sports. 

However, Mendieta believes De Gea will reject any approach from the Bernabeu giants, per the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show, via talkSPORT's Nick Rostron-Pike: "Manchester United is a club, as a player, you want to play for. If they qualify for the Champions League, that’s important as a player. From what I know, David De Gea is happy to stay at Manchester United."

Louis van Gaal's United are in good shape to return to the Champions League next season after a year away from Europe's top club competition.

Currently fourth in the Premier League, United need six points from their final three league games to guarantee a top-four finish, although five will almost certainly suffice given their goal difference.

Aside from the attraction of playing European football again at United, De Gea also has a reportedly huge new contract offer on the table, according to Van Gaal, per Sky Sports: "It can always happen. I am not the boss. 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."

United's fans and players are surely desperate to see him stay at the club. Indeed it is fairly clear that the Red Devils are eager to sign him up to a new deal, per The Associated Press' Rob Harris:

A swathe of stunning performances from De Gea this season have saved United numerous valuable points, which has seen them up into the top four in the Premier League.

While Victor Valdes is a worthy and experienced back-up, the loss of De Gea would surely necessitate United going out and spending big on a new keeper. Some reports have suggested Tottenham's Hugo Lloris will be targeted should De Gea depart, according to L'Equipe, per talkSPORT.

However, if Mendieta is to be believed, De Gea is set to stay put, at least for now; music to the ears of all those connected with United.