Improving Man United star lined up to replace Real Madrid hero

Amid all the commotion at Manchester United, with a new manager arriving, an array of attacking talent joining him and almost the entirety of the club’s defensive stock being injured, their goalkeeper has been one of few constants.

David de Gea’s performances this season have been of the highest order, especially in the recent victory over Everton in which the Spaniard made a string of superb saves (including from a Leighton Baines penalty) to keep the Red Devils in front.

After a turbulent start to life in England, where errors and inconsistency shrouded his game, De Gea has grown into a very reliable stopper and stands among the best in the division.

So improved are the 23-year-old’s showings, that Real Madrid have the former Atletico player in their transfer sights.

Iker Casillas may have regained favouritism back in the Los Blancos net, but his displays have not been well received by the La Liga giants’ faithful, with the record-making keeper even jeered in a recent league outing.

At 33, Casillas is by no means Real Madrid’s long-term future and with backup stopper Keylor Navas 27, the club are planning further ahead by targeting De Gea.

So far, Navas hasn’t been able to displace Casillas from the starting lineup, which indicates the Red Devil could jump the queue to the number one jersey should he switch to the Bernabeu.

De Gea’s contract expires in the summer of 2016 and as yet United have not entered into discussions about a renewal.

That could prompt Madrid into making a bid this summer, with rumours suggesting the young stopper is open to a move back to his homeland.

Louis van Gaal’s side are 7/10 to continue their winning run in the Premier League when the international break finishes, when they travel to West Brom.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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