Manchester United: Real Madrid reignite interest in signing David de Gea

Real Madrid have reportedly reignited their interest in signing Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea following reports suggesting Sergio Ramos has agreed a new deal to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu until at least the summer of 2020, according to Spanish publication Marca.

The 10-time European champions have been on the trail of the Red Devils stopper since the start of the summer, but their pursuit had stalled in recent weeks following United's insistence that they part with Ramos as part of the deal to take the 'keeper to the Spanish capital.

But with a Marca report suggesting that Ramos has already agreed a new deal, it is believed that the Spanish capital club are confident of landing De Gea this summer.

The Spanish international stopper was left out of the Red Devils' squad for the first two games of their United States pre-season tour with a minor injury, but Louis van Gaal did start the keeper for their games against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, with the 'keeper playing a total of 90 minutes in both the games.

The 20-time English champions are reluctant to let De Gea leave this summer, but are aware that they cannot keep him at the club against his will, and also risk losing him on a free transfer next summer, if they do hold on to him for another season.

The report claims that the former Atletico Madrid star's agent Jorge Mendes has flown to China, where the Santiago Bernabeu outfit are currently preparing for a pre-season friendly against AC Milan to negotiate a deal, but United are said to be unwilling to let the player leave unless Real match their valuation, which is said to be around €40m (£28m, $44m).

The Premier League giants have already signed Sergio Romero, who was a free agent following his exit from Sampdoria and Van Gaal insists that he will fight the Spaniard for the number one role at the club. However, it is believed that he is a replacement for Victor Valdes, who has been put on the transfer list by the manager.

Meanwhile, Van Gaal has refused to give any indication as to the future of De Gea, but simply insisted that the current situation is not favourable for either the goalkeeper or the club.

The Spaniard, who started United's final pre-season game against PSG on Wednesday, 29 July, was blamed for both the goals conceded by the team in their 2-0 loss against the French champions, and the Dutch manager concurred, while insisting that players are prone to mistakes during games.

"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, following United's loss to PSG, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

"'Poor' I cannot say but he made a mistake. That's not poor. Everybody can makes mistakes but when a goalkeeper makes a mistake it is mostly a goal and that's the difference," the United boss explained.

"We'll have to wait and see," was Van Gaal's response, when asked if De Gea's future will be resolved before the start of the season.