Adriano: Barcelona Hierarchy to Decide Over De Gea

Barcelona defender Adriano says director of football Andoni Zubizarreta will decide whether the club signs Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

January reports suggested the La Liga leaders were lining up De Gea as a replacement for Victor Valdes, who is out of contract in the summer of 2014.

And after a failure to adapt to English football and a succession of high-profile errors, Sir Alex Ferguson was understood to be ready to offload the Spanish Under-21 international to Real Madrid, with Iker Casillas and Stoke City's Asmir Begovic on United's radar.

De Gea produced a much-acclaimed display during the 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League last 16 first leg at the Bernabeu, and Adriano, impressed by the performance, says Zubizarreta will dictate whether the 21 year old returns to Spain.

"De Gea is a great goalkeeper, but it's down to Zubi (Andoni Zubizarreta)," he said.

"I personally really like him (De Gea) as a keeper.

"It was a great game, and the tie is very open. We now have to think about our own game. The match at Old Trafford should be a good one, too."

The Catalans are likely to be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper in the coming months with Valdes having refused to enter into discussions over a new contract.

Manager Tito Vilanova said: "It's a shame he'll leave because Victor is the ideal goalkeeper for Barca. It's never a good moment for someone like him to leave.

"Victor has given us 18 months to look for another goalkeeper. He's honest. This is not about the money, talks didn't even start."

After the draw in Madrid, De Gea dismissed the notion he was looking to leave United in the near future.

"I am very happy in Manchester," the United goalkeeper said. "Every day I am happier."

While De Gea's future at Old Trafford continues to be the subject of intense speculation, Brazilian midfielder Anderson claims he has attempted to leave United several times during his five-and-a-half year career at the club.

Since moving from FC Porto in the summer of 2007, Anderson has failed to force his way into the United first-team on a regular basis, making just four league starts this season admid the signing of Shinji Kagawa and the form of Michael Carrick.

"What can I say? I have three more years of contract," Anderson said. "I have tried to leave many times and never succeeded to do so."