Juan Mata still hoping David de Gea will remain at Manchester United

Juan Mata is hopeful David de Gea will remain at Manchester United, despite talk of an 'imminent' move to Real Madrid.

De Gea, 24, has resisted United's offers of a new contract, with his current deal set to expire next summer. Spanish daily Marca recently suggested a €30m (£22m) deal will be announced within days.

While the Premier League side have a list of possible replacements, Mata is hoping his fellow Spain international will still be at Old Trafford for the 2015-16 season, telling Marca: "Lots of people ask me about him. He is a friend and I want him to be happy. He is currently one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

"From a selfish point of view, I would want to have him in my team."

United manager Louis van Gaal said in May the club have a list of possible replacements for De Gea should he leave the club this summer. The Evening Standard suggest Tottenham Hotspur custodian Hugo Lloris remains their preferred choice, while Ajax no. 1 Jasper Cillessen has also been considered, although the Dutch giants have ruled out the possibility of him leaving.

Former Old Trafford goalie Edwin Van der Sar, however, believes the club already have a replacement in Victor Valdes, who signed for the club in January 2015.

"It depends whether they are looking for someone with reaction saves or someone who is commanding and a more outfield type of player," he told BBC Sport.

"If your team plays further away from goal and you have a goalkeeper who likes to protect his six-yard box, then the match will not be there.

"Barcelona played a lot away from their goal and that is something Van Gaal finds important. Valdes has a lot of experience and a great pedigree.

"If you name some big clubs in the world, United and Real Madrid are in the top five. To choose between those is great.

"[De Gea] will be a great loss for United if he leaves but the club has to move on and find a successor."