Manchester United may have to make decision on David de Gea contract earlier than expected

It may be, given that Real Madrid will always be able to offer more, that United take a decision this summer to accept the inevitable and sell De Gea, taking a fee rather than losing him for free, writes Jonathan Wilson.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea likes Manchester but his girlfriend still lives in Madrid and it is no secret that Real Madrid see him as a potential replacement for Iker Casillas, who is baShow more

Nobody wants to spoil the mood but amid all the – justifiable – excitement at Manchester United about the form of David de Gea, there is a niggle, and that is his contract, which expires in June 2016.

Negotiations are continuing about an extension but, judging by Louis van Gaal’s reaction when pressed on the issue this week, progress has not been rapid, despite reports De Gea is set to extend his deal till 2020.

The Dutch manager’s flashes of rage are probably too frequent to be a reliable guide, but there was still something strange about the way he flared up at a journalist who asked a fairly innocent question about the progress of talks.

Fans and the public, understandably, want to know whether United’s best player this season might be about to leave the club, but Van Gaal insisted it was a private matter.

He then asked the journalist about his contract details.

The journalist, to his credit, offered to tell him, at which Van Gaal, with majestic disdain, said: “But I am not interested.”

By which point nobody was sure whether those present were allowed to laugh or not.

De Gea likes Manchester but his girlfriend still lives in Madrid and it is no secret that Real Madrid see him as a potential replacement for Iker Casillas, who is back in form but is 33.

He once played for Atletico, but unless his agent is playing with a mighty poker face, parochial rivalries seem not to be an issue.

The identity of the agent may be, though.

De Gea, 24, is represented by Jorge Mendes, the most influential agent in the game.

Mendes also represents Radamel Falcao, who has struggled to make an impression since signing in the summer on a loan deal that United have an option to make permanent for £3.5 million (Dh20.1m) at the end of the season.

With doubts mounting over his long-term fitness following his knee surgery, anybody signing De Gea may find themselves having to sign Falcao as part of the deal. The other intriguing factor is that Victor Valdes, who is also recovering from a knee injury, has been training with United at Carrington. He is out of contract and would be available on a free transfer should United be convinced he has recovered fully.

Reports are that he has impressed coaching staff but, at 32, he is unlikely to be happy with a place on the bench.

It may be, given that Real Madrid will always be able to offer more, that United take a decision this summer to accept the inevitable and sell De Gea, taking a fee rather than losing him for free, relieve themselves of any obligations to Falcao, who may be a busted flush, and sign Valdes before he is picked up by one of their English Premier League rivals.

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