David de Gea 'move' to Real Madrid could depend on Iker Casillas, says Graham Hunter

The ball is in Real Madrid's court regarding any potential transfer for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, says Graham Hunter.

The La Liga side have been linked with the 24-year-old Spaniard over recent months, with his contract expiring at Old Trafford next summer.

But Hunter says Real now have to make a decision on the future of current goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who has won five La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns in his 16 years at the Bernabeu.

Revista De La Liga pundit Hunter said: "My opinion is that Real Madrid want to sign David de Gea but, equally, don't particularly fancy the furore of the Spain No 1 and No 2 either sharing the Liga, Copa Del Rey and Champions League games like Diego Lopez and Casillas did last season.

De Gea has excelled for United this campaign

"They also don't want the constant speculation over whether De Gea and Casillas, if at the same club, work well together, fall out and so on.

"If Madrid are determined to prise De Gea away from Manchester United then the ball is definitely back in their court now."

De Gea's fine performances for Manchester United since signing from Real's rivals Atletico in 2011 have made him one of the most sought-after goalkeepers in the world.

Iker Casillas has equalled Andoni Zubizarreta's record for most wins in La Liga history against Sevilla but did his display silence his critics? Iker Casillas has equalled Andoni Zubizarreta's record for most wins in La Liga history against Sevilla but did his display silence his critics?

But Casillas, Hunter believes, has made his intentions clear about where he sees his future.

"Casillas, not for the first time, stated that he couldn't find a better place to play than Real Madrid," Hunter added.

"He stated that he fully intended to see out his contract which ends in 2017 and even intimated that he'd stay and fight for his place if he happened not to be first choice during the last two seasons of his deal.

"The hard fact is that his preferred choice is to finish his career at Madrid and, in an ideal world, be offered a new contract."