Sergio Romero targets replacing David de Gea as Manchester United number one

Sergio Romero has ambitions of deposing David de Gea as the number one in the Manchester United, amid speculation the Spanish goalkeeper is Real Madrid's priority target in the upcoming transfer window. De Gea has developed into one of the world's best 'keepers during six years at Old Trafford but could be lured back to the Spanish capital this summer.

Marca claimed in February that Real had earmarked De Gea as their preferred candidate to replace Keylor Navas, ahead of Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois, and could bring him to the Bernabeu if they activate his £55.4m [$68.8m] release clause. Should the 11-time Champions League winners agree such a fee it would break the world record fee paid for a stopper, set by Gianluigi Buffon when he joined Juventus in 2001.

Should De Gea indeed depart United, it will leave manager Jose Moruinho possibly scrambling around searching for a replacement with the gravitas and ability to replace the Spain international. But Romero believes his manager need not look far and despite opportunities having been limited for the club is confident he can eventually fill De Gea's boots

"When you get a chance to come to a massive club like Manchester United, even if you are aware that you might be coming initially as a second choice keeper it is a challenge you want to take up," he told reporters, according to the Manchester Evening News, ahead of the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Anderlecht. "You grab it with both hands, if you like."

"What I try and do is work hard in every training session each week to try and show to the manager that I am ready, and to show to everyone that if I am called upon then I am in good shape and ready myself, both confidence-wise and ability-wise to go out and not let the team down. You always hope to be the number one and it is something you work for every week. To come here was a great opportunity and a challenge to accept."

Of Romero's 13 appearances this season, eight of them have come in the Europa League, where he is expected to deputise for De Gea again when United face Anderlecht on Thursday [20 April]. Signed by Louis van Gaal in the summer of 2015, Romero started his first four Premier League games at the club amid uncertainty over De Gea's future, and will hope for a similar role should he leave for Spain this summer.