Manchester United have rejected a world record £60 million bid from Champions League finalists Real Madrid for goalkeeper David De Gea, according to Sky Sports.
The Spanish giants have long been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, although the Spanish shot-stopper did sign a new contract at Old Trafford back in 2015 after a proposed move to the Bernabeu fell through.
Although he made a slow start to life in England, and was actually dropped by Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2012 for now-Preston goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard, De Gea has improved dramatically to become one of the best goalkeepers in world football, and has been a key part of the United side in recent years.
However, Zinedine Zidane’s Real clearly want their man given they are willing to smash the current transfer record for a goalkeeper, the £36 million Juventus paid Parma for Gianluigi Buffon back in 2001, to bring De Gea to the Spanish capital this summer.
Nonetheless, as per Sky Sports, United have rejected the offer in the hope that the 26-year-old can remain a key cog in Jose Mourinho’s team as they look to compete on both domestic and European fronts next term.
The Red Devils finished a lowly sixth in the Premier League this season although did win the League Cup and Europa League, meaning that they will be returning to the Champions League next term.
And that means that Mourinho will need to keep his best players if they are to assert themselves near the top of the European game once again, and there’s little doubt that De Gea is one of those that simply cannot be sold.