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

Real Madrid are reportedly yet to make contact with Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea or his agent Jorge Mendes regarding a possible move this summer.

That's according to Manu Sainz of Spanish newspaper AS (h/t David Wright of the Express), who reports that as a result, the Spaniard "doubts Real Madrid will activate his €50 million (£40 million) buyout clause before it expires this month."

Per the MailOnline's Pete Jenson, Los Blancos pursued the 25-year-old last summer only for the deal to fall through in the final minutes of deadline day.

That proved crucial for United, which tied him down on a new contract, and De Gea played a vital role in the Red Devils boasting the joint-best defence in the Premier League this season.

Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe believed he was the best keeper in the division:

So too did the Professional Footballer's Association, who named him in their team of the year—the only United player to feature and one of just three not to play for either Leicester City or Tottenham Hotspur:

Football writer Liam Canning went one step further with his assessment of the stopper after his efforts in the FA Cup final:

Some may prefer the likes of Manuel Neuer or Gianluigi Buffon, but whoever your preference, De Gea is undoubtedly in the conversation, and he is far younger than his rivals, too.

While it wouldn't have been overly surprising if De Gea had left were Louis van Gaal still in charge, Jose Mourinho's arrival at Old Trafford gives him and the other players far more cause to be optimistic about the club's chances of returning to its glory days.

He seemed to suggest he would be happy to stay when he welcomed the Special One to United, per Sky Sports News HQ:

Further, Keylor Navas' fine campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu has largely eliminated Real's need to replace Iker Casillas, so for the time being, it may actually be the best for all parties if De Gea were to stay put.

One player whose chances of staying at Old Trafford seemed to drop significantly on Mourinho's arrival was Juan Mata, whom the Special One sold when the pair were at Chelsea together.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Per Jose Manuel Garcia of Spanish outlet El Confidencial (h/t Jack Staplehurst of the Express), West Ham United have been in touch with the Red Devils regarding a sensational move for the playmaker, who is also attracting interest from his former side Valencia.

Football writer Tom McDermott believes there is a good chance Mata will be moved on by Mourinho:

The 28-year-old has not had quite the same impact in Manchester as he did for the Blues, as he has rarely been utilised in his natural position or enjoyed the same status as the team's primary creator.

Nevertheless, he still managed 10 goals and 11 assists for United this season in all competitions, making him one of their most effective contributors in the final third.

ESPN's Alex Shaw hailed the threat he can provide from set-pieces:

United would be wise not to let him go until they have secured a similarly creative player to replace him, lest they be left without one of the few players currently in their squad who can inject a spark of imagination into their play.

However, it seems as though his time at Old Trafford is coming to an end and a return to Valencia may seem the more tempting option.

That said, with Slaven Bilic's side looking to build on their seventh-place finish next season at the Olympic Stadium—and perhaps harbouring ambitions of UEFA Champions League football to fit their new surroundings—a move to the Hammers may not be as outlandish as it first appears.