Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea looks set to join Real Madrid this summer, with reports in Spain suggesting that the 24-year-old is closing in on a return to their country’s capital.
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According to Marca, the player has agreed personal terms and is eager to complete the switch, leaving only a transfer fee to be agreed between the two clubs. This is regarded as a formality by the outgoing European Champions.
This story comes hotly on the heels of a similar report from BBC Sport, in which United boss Louis van Gaal admits that the club have already drawn up a list of potential replacements for the player.
He said: “We have a list of goalkeepers who can replace him because we have to be organised always. We want him to stay and I hope he shall sign. It’s dependable not of Manchester United, not of me, because we want him to sign. He has to sign, he has to want to stay here at Manchester United. I don’t know [why he hasn’t decided].”
The loss of De Gea will come as a huge blow to United. The keeper has been in fine form this season and has been one of the main reasons for their imminent return to Champions League football, which is now all but mathematically secured.
De Gea joined United from Real’s local rivals Atletico in 2011. He’s since made 174 appearances in all competitions, winning the Premier League once in 2013.