Manchester United: Louis van Gaal keen to sort out David de Gea transfer saga ahead of Tottenham clash

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is reportedly keen to end the ongoing saga of goalkeeper David de Gea's transfer to Real Madrid before the start of the Premier League campaign on Saturday, 8 August, according to Spanish daily AS.

The Spanish capital club have been linked with a move for the Red Devils stopper the entire summer, and the Dutch manager has admitted that the back and forth regarding his transfer is not a good situation for the club or player to be in ahead of the new campaign. Earlier an AS report suggested the manager had asked the Old Trafford club to sanction the move and end the ongoing transfer saga.

"We have a situation that is not favourable for David de Gea, but neither for us and neither for the club that maybe he wants to go (to)," Van Gaal said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

The former Bayern Munich manager has already signed Sergio Romero on a free transfer after he was released by Sampdoria. He has been earmarked to provide cover in the eventuality of De Gea's departure to the Spanish capital.

But, the report claims, Van Gaal will sign another keeper if the Spanish international departs Old Trafford. His primary target is said to be Ajax's Jasper Cillessen, according to the Mirror.

While the Dutch international keeper has acknowledged the Red Devils' interest in signing him, the Cillessen insists he is completely focused on his current club, and he is powerless to stop the rumours regarding an impending move.

"But I can so little with it. That's why I'm completely focused on Ajax," Cillessen said, as quoted by Dutch publication De Telegraaf.

The player indicated that he is keen to play another season in the Champions League with Ajax, but could reconsider his future at the club following their ouster from the competition at the third qualifying stage by Rapid Vienna on Tuesday, 4 August.

Meanwhile, former United midfielder Lou Macari has urged the 20-time English champions to sort out their goalkeeper situation before their opening Premier League game against Tottenham on Saturday.

"It is a big concern before the season starts. I have never known a top-class goalkeeper, like he is, to be in this situation before. I would have thought things would have been signed and sealed by now," the Red Devils legend told talkSPORT.

"I don't believe we are this late in pre-season and the two clubs are not really knowing what is going to happen. He is either heading for Spain or staying at Old Trafford but it has got to be sorted before you go into the game against Spurs on the opening day of the season," he added.