Manchester United Transfer News: World Record David De Gea Fee Quoted to Madrid

Manchester United won't sell David De Gea unless Real Madrid offer more than the £32.6 million (approx. €46 million) record fee Juventus paid to make Gianluigi Buffon the most expensive goalkeeper ever in 2001.

David McDonnell of the Mirror says the Red Devils "are refusing to budge" and "have told Real Madrid to forget any compromise over the transfer fee." He also noted the Premier League club have rejected AS' claim that a cost of £25 million (€35 million) will be accepted just to ensure the deal is done.

In fact, both McDonnell and Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News report that United are happy to let De Gea leave for free next summer—when his contract expires—rather than sell him for a paltry amount before the start of the season. The former report even insists Madrid are yet to launch a formal offer for the Spanish international.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

While a world-record fee could be expected if De Gea was sitting on a two or three-year contract, it's unlikely he'll drum up such a cost with just 12 months left on his deal. United don't particularly need the cash—not after the club's return to the Champions League and their £750 million kit contract with Adidas starting this season—so can afford to hold out if it's more valuable to their chances for the 'keeper to stay.

De Gea was named United player of the season for a second successive year at the club's recent awards night. He has developed into a genuine match-winner. The 24-year-old has always been a top-quality shot-stopper, but he now has the ability to command his box when crosses come in. De Gea rushes off his line at the right time, is cool in possession and won United multiple points through his reflexes alone last season.

The Madrid-born star was spotted in the Spanish capital on Wednesday, wearing a t-shirt which sums up how many will feel about his ongoing saga, per AS:

He has so far avoided making a committed statement in public to either club. However, McDonnell reports he rejected a £200,000 per week contact offer from United, an action which is as telling as any quotes the player can offer. If De Gea wanted to stay, he would have inked a new deal to end speculation.

United are "considering their options" after having a bid rejected for Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, according to Sky Sports, which posted an update on the club's transfer dealings:

Tim Collins of B/R UK believes a "power struggle" is ongoing between the two clubs over Ramos. It's entirely possible De Gea will be dragged into this. Neither team wants to lose one of their prized assets and both will try to extract as much value as possible from each potential deal.

De Gea's departure appears ominous, while speculation over Ramos has slowed somewhat. It would be disappointing for United to let their No. 1 leave without receiving anything back—either a huge fee, a top player or both—so it's no wonder why Louis van Gaal's side are only willing to deal on their terms.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Madrid usually get the better of United in the transfer market—think David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo—but the English side appear to be doing all they can to ensure they aren't walked over this summer.