Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea arrives in Madrid... to rest

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea arrived in Madrid on Thursday (2 July) – but was only there "to have some rest".

De Gea, 24, remains heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid with United ready to accept an offer of €35m (£24.9m, $38.9m), as reported by Spanish newspaper AS on Thursday.

But with no agreement made yet, the Spain international is expected to return for preseason training on Monday 6 July.

The sight of the goalkeeper touching down at Madrid-Barajas airport however continue to fuel speculation over an imminent move, but talk of that was quickly dismissed by the goalkeeper.

"I am fine," he told reporters. "I have just come home to have some rest."

De Gea has one year remaining on his current deal at Old Trafford and is not expected to renew his stay at the club.

The Manchester Evening News claimed this week that United are determined to get a world record fee for a goalkeeper in the deal for De Gea, one that surpasses the £32m Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

But AS claims De Gea's move to Real Madrid took a "decisive step" on 1 July after the Premier League giants reduced the player's price tag.

The Spanish publication claimed that while the fee is very close to the €30m offered by Los Blancos, the negotiations are expected to advance further in the coming days to stop De Gea from starting preseason training at United on Monday 6 July.

United's pursuit of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has provided a further subplot to the ongoing transfer saga with AS reporting last week United will offer more than €30m plus the their Spanish goalkeeper in order to lure the centre half to Old Trafford.