Louis van Gaal has reportedly asked for David de Gea to be sold to Real Madrid as soon as possible, but Manchester United are unwilling to relent.
According to AS, a deal for the goalkeeper is inching ever closer, with his performance during the 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday understood to be the manager’s final straw.
De Gea was perceived to have made several errors in the match by sections of the media, leaving Van Gaal to reportedly suggest that it was a strong indication of the player’s unhappiness.
Nonetheless, United chief executive Ed Woodward is believed to have made it clear to the Dutchman that the club have no intention of sanctioning the sale of their best player to a European rival as it would damage their bid to return among the continent’s elite.
It is a stance that has emerged following the previous departures of David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Santiago Bernabeu and their failure in landing Sergio Ramos.
Madrid, meanwhile, are happy to bide their time for the 24-year-old, with Coach Rafa Benitez delighted with the pre-season performances of Keylor Navas and new boy Kiko Casillas.
A poll cast by Manchester Evening News on Friday revealed the Old Trafford faithful would prefer to sell De Gea now, rather than lose him on a Bosman free transfer next summer.
