Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea exit looms as Iker Casillas agrees Real Madrid departure

Iker Casillas and Real Madrid have reached an agreement for the club legend to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and expedite the arrival of Manchester United keeper David De Gea, reports in Spain claim.

Reliable Spanish TV station TVE reports that the keeper has made an unexpected u-turn in the last hours and will leave the club within weeks.

TVE claim that Casillas and Real Madrid have already reached an agreement over his departure – as he still had two years on his contract – although the keeper is yet to decide his next club.

The Spanish TV station claimed that Casillas wanted to hang up his boots at Real Madrid but with reports in Spain assuring De Gea's arrival is imminent he has been forced to change his plans and leave the club.

The 34-year-old Casillas has reiterated a number of times in recent weeks that, despite facing scrutiny from his own fans during the last two campaigns, he was likely to stay at his childhood side until the end of his contract in summer 2017 - and was ready to battle his compatriot De Gea for a starting spot if the United keeper moved to the Bernabeu.

In May, Casillas told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser he will be at the club next season and eventually hopes to retire at the Bernabeu.

"I'm sure I'll continue here next season – of course. I cannot imagine myself outside of the club when the new campaign starts. I want to end my career here," the World Cup winner said.

"If De Gea does come here, he'll be welcomed. Competition is healthy. There is not a clause in my contract which states that I have to be the number one; we'll have to compete for a place like we do with Spain. De Gea is a great bloke and a goalkeeper for the present and the future. He can handle pressure and the experience he has had at Manchester United will have served him well."

According to the reports Casillas, who has been linked with Arsenal since last summer, has a number of offers from different clubs around Europe, includdying a lucrative one from Turkish side Fenerbahçe.