Manchester United Reportedly Reject £60M Real Madrid Bid for David De Gea

Manchester United have reportedly rejected a bid worth £60 million from Real Madrid for goalkeeper David De Gea.

Sky Sports News HQ relayed the news on Wednesday via Twitter:

The quick rejection shows the Red Devils are serious about keeping their talented No. 1 beyond this summer's transfer window.

Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News HQ reiterated United's confidence De Gea will still be tending goal at Old Trafford next season:

Similarly, ESPN FC's Rob Dawson also noted how "De Gea is not agitating for a move away from Old Trafford" and that United have "been given no indication from the player that he wants to leave."

Returning to the UEFA Champions League does give United a solid hand in negotiations. So does the club's determination to get maximum value should they sell their marquee goalkeeper.

There had been reports Los Blancos were unwilling to meet United's demands. Spanish source Diario Gol (h/t James Walters of the Daily Star) reported Real president Florentino Perez wouldn't pay the Red Devils' £61 million asking price, instead intending to pay no more than £44 million for De Gea.

However, Los Merengues' offer far exceeded the latter figure. If it's an opening bid, United can expect the 11-time European champions to do all they can to tempt the former Atletico Madrid star back to the Spanish capital.

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The ironic side of this transfer saga is how Real can cope without De Gea since they already have a quality stopper in Keylor Navas, who has backstopped the team to the Champions League and La Liga in the past two seasons.

United possess a capable deputy in Sergio Romero, but they have the greater incentive to play hardball over their first choice.