Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alexis Sanchez, David De Gea

Manchester United are keeping an eye on developments over the future of Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.

That's according to James Dickenson of the Daily Express, who suggested that United are hopeful of tempting him to Old Trafford.

Dickenson noted that while the club's top target is Atletico Madrid man Antoine Griezmann, hopes of getting a deal done are fading. The Frenchman recently told TVE Telediario de La1 (h/t ESPN FC) that "there is no reason to go."

The Red Devils will reportedly consider Sanchez as a result, even though Arsenal do not want to sell the Chile international to a Premier League rival, according to Dickenson. United, Manchester City and Chelsea are all said to be interested, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Atletico Madrid.

If United were able to lure Sanchez to the north-west, it would be a tremendous coup. These numbers from Squawka Football sum up how important he's been to the Arsenal cause this season:

The situation would be reminiscent of United's capture of Robin van Persie in 2012. Five years ago, the Dutchman was Arsenal's best player and top goalscorer, but the Red Devils swooped to take him away from the Emirates Stadium.

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Additionally, as is the case with Sanchez, Van Persie only had one year left on his contract when United landed him. All doesn't seem to be well with the Arsenal talisman, either; as Dickenson noted, the Gunners No. 7 was left out of the starting XI for the recent match with Liverpool after a row with manager Arsene Wenger.

The Independent's Miguel Delaney feels as though the Red Devils could make a big statement by signing Sanchez:

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the twilight of his career and Wayne Rooney's role becoming increasingly peripheral, United boss Jose Mourinho would love to liven up his forward line with a player like Sanchez. However, it would be a massive shock if Arsenal were to entertain the prospect of any sale to a divisional rival.

David De Gea Contract Rumours

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According to El Confidencial (h/t Sport Witness), Manchester United are keen to open talks with goalkeeper David De Gea over a new contract.

The report stated that's because there is a €50 million (£44 million) release clause in his deal and that the Red Devils are keen to increase that amount to €70 million (£61.4 million). Sport Witness also added that Real Madrid still hold an interest in the Spain international and that he's still keen to make the switch to the Spanish capital.

A move to the Santiago Bernabeu looked to be on for the stopper in the summer of 2015, but the transfer fell through on the final day of the window.

Since then, De Gea has continued to excel at Old Trafford, establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers around. Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC thinks Real Madrid will move for someone of his calibre in the summer:

Keylor Navas is struggling for form, so it would be no surprise if manager Zinedine Zidane did move to land a replacement. De Gea would tick a lot of boxes for the European champions.

If there is a release clause of the aforementioned sum in his United deal, it's no surprise United are keen to offer their star goalkeeper fresh terms. Given De Gea's quality and their apparent need for a man between the sticks, Madrid would surely meet that amount.