Manchester United have list of goalkeeping options who can replace David de Gea: Van Gaal

Manchester United’s David de Gea and Wayne Rooney after the match against Crystal Palace

With Spanish media reporting that Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has already agreed personal terms with Real Madrid and British media refuting those claims and insisting the 24-year-old’s mind is still not made up, the affair around the rock of Manchester threatens to be one of the ‘transfer sagas’ of the 2015 summer.

Manager Louis van Gaal has attempted to calm the air at Old Trafford, insisting the club have a list of options to choose from as replacement, in case their trusted goalkeeper does indeed depart English shores for his native country.

"We have a list of goalkeepers who can replace him because we have to be organised always," the Dutchman said.

De Gea’s contract at the English club runs out next summer, and he is yet to sign the extension offered to him. Van Gaal said that he hoped De Gea would sign the extension in coming days, but that he did not know which way things would roll.

Will not buy everyone in the world: Van Gaal

Confirming that a lot of money had been offered to De Gea, the manager said, "You have three parties (involved in a transfer deal) and the most important party is always the player.

"It's dependable not of Manchester United, not of me, because we want him to sign. He has to sign, he has to want to stay here at Manchester United. I don't know (why he hasn't decided)."

United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has said the club will be "active" again this summer, after having splurged £150million on seven new players in 2014-15.

Replying to queries on speculation linking Gareth Bale and Harry Kane with Manchester United, Van Gaal said, "I have seen that I buy everyone in the world but it's not like that."