Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on David De Gea and Fabinho Rumours

David De Gea "may be getting cold feet over a move" from Manchester United to Real Madrid, according to the Sun (h/t Charles Perrin of the Express).

It is suggested De Gea doesn't want to compete with Iker Casillas for the No. 1 spot in the Spanish capital. This is reinforced by the Independent's Jack De Menezes, who believes "De Gea has reservations about moving to the Santiago Bernabeu if he is to play second fiddle to Casillas."

Madrid "know for a fact that Man United are willing to do business this transfer window" due to the Red Devils enquiring about the availability of centre-back Raphael Varane during negotiations for De Gea, as reported by J.L. Calderon of Marca.

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Keylor Navas, Madrid's second-choice keeper, recently picked up an Achilles injury during his preparation for the Gold Cup with Costa Rica, reported by James Whaling of the Mirror. While this may up the urgency of Madrid's pursuit to sign De Gea, it could also increase the likelihood of Casillas staying, perhaps making the transfer more difficult if the former wants to walk straight into the team.

Casillas is ready to challenge for his place, as posted on Facebook (translated by De Menezes): "After 25 years at Real Madrid, what I learned the first day is still used—if you want to win, fight until the end."

However, the same report suggests Los Blancos were waiting on Tottenham Hotspur to lure him away, a transfer which will only happen if United bid for Spurs No. 1 Hugo Lloris. For them to do that, De Gea needs to be gone.

B/R UK's Jonathan Johnson recently discussed potential replacements United could target if De Gea moves on:

Boss Louis van Gaal has plenty of work to wade through this summer. Even before De Gea potentially leaves, the Dutchman must secure significant improvements for the side's defence. French publication L'Equipe (h/t Simon Jones and Matt Barlow of the MailOnline) links the club with a £10 million attempt to sign Monaco right-back Fabinho, but that the Ligue 1 side are demanding double this price.

The 21-year-old only signed a permanent deal to remain in the principality last month, arriving for just £4.2 million from Portuguese outfit Rio Ave. Football writer Matt Spiro discussed what the player could add to United's ranks:

Fabinho appeared 36 times during the 2014-15 French season, helping Monaco to third place. He is a confident dribbler and passer of the ball, remaining calm when in possession. The starlet is currently at the Copa America with Brazil, where he is likely to win many more followers.

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Most of United's business is likely to be overshadowed by De Gea's departure this summer. Van Gaal likely faces the difficult task of replacing a man who won the side many points with terrific individual performances last season. The transfer saga remains complicated and difficult to pin down, but it still seems inevitable the former Atletico Madrid man will head back to the city of his birth.

United supporters can only wait and see what Van Gaal comes up with. Fabinho would be an exciting addition to the defence, and if United seriously want to improve on their recent fourth-placed finish, the first of multiple signings at the back.