Football
Adriana Garcia 9y

David De Gea to return for Manchester United preseason training

David De Gea has confirmed he is to begin preseason training at Manchester United on Monday amid persistent speculation that he is to join Real Madrid this summer.

The Spain goalkeeper left Madrid on Sunday to travel to the north of England, where he is under contract with United for another season.

With no agreements reached between the two clubs over the 24-year-old's reported transfer, De Gea is expected at United's Carrington training ground on Monday to resume work under coach Louis van Gaal.

Speaking to Spanish TV station Deportes Cuatro, De Gea said as reported on Marca: "Real Madrid? I have to train over there [Manchester].

"I'm heading back to Manchester to begin preseason training."

When asked about the ongoing transfer speculation linking him to Real, the Madrid-born De Gea said: "I'm calm."

De Gea, and his agent Jorge Mendes, might have expected his situation to have been resolved by now but the stumbling block is the amount of money that United want for the Spain international.

The former Atletico Madrid player opened talks over a new Old Trafford deal in February but has so far not put pen to paper on new terms.

Reports in Spain claim Real had an €18 million offer for De Gea rejected by the Red Devils.

ESPN FC sources said last week that United are seeking a world-record transfer fee for a goalkeeper, meaning they are looking for more than the £32.6 million paid for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001.

Ramos is under contract with Real for another two seasons but the Spanish defender wants to leave the club this summer.

De Gea joined United in 2011 for a reported £17.8million transfer fee from Atletico Madrid and has been a regular since.

He kept 10 clean sheets in 37 Premier League starts to help United finish fourth in the standings and qualify for the Champions League playoff stage.

If De Gea does move to Real, the club's long-time goalkeeper Iker Casillas could leave although the 34-year-old has two years left on his contract.

Casillas, a reported target of Roma and Fenerbahce, insisted last month he would fight for a starting place should De Gea join Los Blancos this summer.

Real begin preseason training on July 13 under new coach Rafa Benitez, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti last month.

Ancelotti was sacked after a year without a major trophy, despite securing the Champions League title the previous season.

Real have made three signings since the end of the campaign, with Brazil internationals Danilo and Casemiro joining the Merengue outfit from FC Porto.

Last week, Real exercised a buy-back clause to bring Spanish winger Lucas Vazquez back to the club after sending the player on a season-long loan to Espanyol.

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