Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours on David De Gea and Karim Benzema

Manchester United may be forced to prepare for another barrage of interest in David De Gea after reports emerged detailing the goalkeeper's release clause. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are understood to be monitoring Karim Benzema replacements.

Los Blancos missed out on a deal to bring former Atletico stopper De Gea back to Madrid in the 2015 summer transfer window, but Spanish daily Marca (h/t the Sun's Jamie Gordon) reported he has a £51.7 million release clause in his United contract.

If the Spanish giants were to pay such a figure to land De Gea, it would make him the most expensive goalkeeper in history, eclipsing the €53 million that brought Gianluigi Buffon to Juventus from Parma in 2001—valued at £33 million at the time.

Sport Witness cast some doubt over Marca's fresh reports of a release clause, however, owing to previous reports citing a different figure in De Gea's deal:

De Gea signed a new four-year contract at Old Trafford in September 2015, just days after last year's summer window closed, ending any chance of the Spaniard moving back to his home city in the foreseeable future.

However, the Manchester Evening News suggested even with a release clause present, Real won't shell out to acquire De Gea's services, meaning they could be forced to wait until 2019, when his current deal expires:

De Gea has compatriots among his friends at Old Trafford with the likes of Juan Mata and Ander Herrera around, and even Real may struggle to convince the 26-year-old to uproot his life after five-and-a-half years in Manchester.

Elsewhere, Spanish newspaper EcoDiario (h/t Calciomercato) reported Real are considering "dumping" star striker Benzema, with Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a potential candidate to replace him.

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However, there are conflicting reports in the press as Spanish daily OK Diario (h/t Sport) said Real president Florentino Perez is ready to hand Benzema a contract extension at the Bernabeu.

The other candidate in the running to replace Benzema is already at the club, Alvaro Morata, and Sky Sports News HQ presenter David Garrido has suggested the up-and-comer has the means to step into the Frenchman's shoes:

Benzema arrived in Madrid from Lyon seven-and-a-half years ago and is contracted to the Spanish titans until the summer of 2019, scoring 167 goals in 330 appearances for Los Blancos, per Transfermarkt.

Just why Real would consider ousting the 28-year-old at present is up for debate, but if reports of a supposed sale prove genuine, both Aubameyang and Morata could be considered capable reinforcements.