Manchester United: David de Gea's agent Jorge Mendes arrives at Carrington as Red Devils open contract talks

David de Gea has opened talks over signing a contract extension at Manchester United to put an end to the ongoing saga surrounding his future at Old Trafford. The goalkeeper has one year left on his contract and has not featured for the Red Devils this season.

The Spain international was a transfer target for Real Madrid in the summer. The La Liga giants made a formal bid on their deadline day and the 24-year-old's move to Santiago Bernabeu collapsed in the final hour of the window, despite the two clubs agreeing a fee for the transfer of the player.

According to the BBC, De Gea will make a U-turn and sign a new deal with his current employers to extend his stay in England. His agent Jorge Mendes arrived at United's training complex at Carrington on 10 September.

The former Atletico Madrid stopper has not featured for the 20-time English champion this season. Louis van Gaal has started summer signing Sergio Romero ahead of De Gea for both the Premier League and the Champions League play-off fixtures.

The United manager claimed the Spaniard refused to play after their 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the season opener. Despite the comments made by Van Gaal, the sources close to the club remain confident the relationship between the two can be mended.

De Gea and his agent have already opened talks with the Dutchman over signing a new deal. The Guardian claims the new deal could see him earn £200,000 a week ($308,739) at Old Trafford.

Real president Florentino Perez has ruled out any possible move for De Gea in the January transfer window. Romero's recent form will see him fight for a place in the starting lineup with the Argentine international.

Lack of playing time at United will jeopardise De Gea's chances of playing for his national team in next summer's European championship. Spain boss Vicente del Bosque has already warned the goalkeeper that it will be "very difficult" for the United star to make it to his squad for the Euro 2016 if he remains out of United's starting XI.

Given all these factors, signing a contract extension would be ideal for De Gea. Should he sign a new deal, there will not be any assurance the Spain keeper could remain at United beyond the next summer transfer window.

United face Liverpool in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford on 12 September. De Gea could make his first start of the season against the Merseyside club.