Manchester United have insisted David De Gea has not asked to leave Old Trafford despite the club facing another battle of wills with Real Madrid over the Spain goalkeeper.

Real have identified De Gea as a leading transfer target this summer and are confident they can entice the Madrid-born goalkeeper two years after their bid to sign him collapsed in acrimony on transfer deadline day.

Marca, the Madrid-based sports newspaper and Real mouthpiece, claimed on Friday that De Gea had already agreed personal terms with the club and had informed United of his willingness to move to the Bernabéu this summer.

Senior sources both at Old Trafford and close to De Gea told The Telegraph that the goalkeeper had not asked to leave. But while United say De Gea is not for sale, Mourinho is understood to be exploring other goalkeeping options in the event his hand is forced.

Real would have to pay between £50 million and £60 million to stand any chance of signing De Gea, but if he was to leave, it seems inconceivable that Mourinho would not use the situation to strengthen his prospects of signing Real striker Álvaro Morata.