Manchester United Transfer News: David De Gea to Real Madrid Rumours Shot Down

Real Madrid have reportedly dropped their long-term interest in Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea and will instead offer current No. 1 Keylor Navas a "bumper new contract in the coming days."

Los Blancos' £29 million move for De Gea, 25, collapsed in the final hours of last summer's transfer window, and sources on the Real board have now confirmed that they will not go back in for the Spaniard at the end of the 2015-16 campaign, per German news agency DPA (via Spanish outlet Marca). 

The source is quoted as saying: "Keylor Navas is a fans' favourite and his performances have been top drawer. There is no need to search for another goalkeeper, and that includes De Gea." 

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Costa Rican Navas has shown excellent form this season, and he has not conceded a single goal as Real advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, the only tournament remaining this season that they have a realistic chance of winning. 

De Gea, meanwhile, has continued to be United's best player in another poor campaign for the Red Devils, and for some, he has surpassed Manuel Neuer as the world's top goalkeeper, per the Sunday World's Kevin Palmer:

The news of Real reportedly dropping their pursuit of United's No. 1 will come as a huge relief to all involved with the Old Trafford club.

Following his failed move to Real last summer, the former Atletico Madrid man signed a new four-year contract with the Red Devils, but rumours abounded that it included an affordable release clause that Los Blancos could take advantage of this summer, per Jamie Jackson in the Guardian.

Another club could still swoop for De Gea, but Real were always seen as his main suitors.

Despite their Manchester-derby victory at the weekend moving them just one point from the Premier League's top four, United still look unlikely to be in the Champions League next season.

That would be a blow for a player of De Gea's calibre, but United can reportedly ensure the Spain international's future at Old Trafford by replacing current manager Louis van Gaal with Jose Mourinho in the summer, per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:

The former Chelsea boss has been widely tipped to succeed the Dutchman in the summer, and reports have even suggested there is a "gentleman's agreement" in place to that effect, per the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst.

Van Gaal would be fortunate to still be in charge at Old Trafford next season, as United have looked hugely unconvincing since he took up the job as David Moyes' successor in the summer of 2014, per Luckhurst:

The best the Red Devils can hope for this season is an FA Cup triumph and a top-four Premier League finish, which is hardly an acceptable return for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

And it's not the type of success that will keep players like De Gea at the club—or indeed attract new stars.

Given Mourinho's proven record of recent Premier League and Champions League success, it is no surprise that De Gea would reportedly be more willing to stay at United with him in charge instead of Van Gaal.