Real Madrid Transfer News: Fresh David De Gea Bid, Red Devils Target Replacement

La Liga giants Real Madrid are preparing a new bid for Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea following news the Red Devils have lined up Ajax stopper Jasper Cillessen as his replacement.

That's according to Rob Draper of the Daily Mail, who reports Los Merengues will make an increased offer of £25 million in order to lure the Spaniard back to Madrid:

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Real Madrid will make a £25million bid for David de Gea this week and expect to have him at the club for the start of the season, meaning Manchester United will have to re-ignite their interest in Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.

With De Gea sitting in the stands alongside Victor Valdes and Anders Lindegaard during United's opening game of the season and the Spanish club convinced that Van Gaal wants to sell the player, the only obstacle remains the tough negotiating stance of United's executive director Ed Woodward.

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It emerged on Friday that De Gea would play no part in Manchester United's Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur, leading to rampant speculation regarding his future at the club.

It's common knowledge that De Gea has less than a year remaining on his contract with the Red Devils, but manager Louis van Gaal is quoted by FourFourTwo, stating Real have not offered a sufficient fee:

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We are asking money and they have to pay money. In recent years Manchester United have paid a lot of money on players and not received a lot for our players. He's the best goalkeeper we've had for the last three years, I believe.

The last two years he was nominated by the fans as the best player at the club. Do you think the coach wants him to leave? I don't think so. The player still has to manage this situation.

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Manchester United brought in Argentina international Sergio Romero—who worked under Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar—on a free transfer this summer, and he started in goal against Spurs on Saturday.

Real Madrid have brought in Kiko Casilla this summer following Iker Casillas' free transfer to Porto, while Keylor Navas has been attempting to establish himself at the Bernabeu since moving to Madrid.

Peter Dejong/Associated Press

The goalkeeping situation at Old Trafford is an intriguing one at present, with January recruit Victor Valdes sitting behind De Gea in the pecking order and Anders Lindegaard behind him.

Sky Sports' Peter Hall outlined the surreal scenario as De Gea and Valdes sat in the stands against Spurs:

Former Atletico Madrid starlet De Gea has remained largely silent throughout the speculation linking him with a return to his home nation, but a La Liga comeback may be considered favourable.

Netherlands international Cillessen has worked under Van Gaal during his time as national team manager, and FourFourTwo's Elko Born pointed out the Dutchman will not be cup-tied following Ajax's exit from the Champions League qualifiers:

Should rumours of Real's improved De Gea bid prove genuine, the only remaining question will be whether United deem it sufficient to let him leave their ranks.

In the event De Gea remains at Old Trafford this season and chooses not to sign a contract extension, Real will have the chance to land him for free next summer, but the priority will be to get their man now.