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David De Gea has told Manchester United that money will not be his motivation when it comes to deciding his future.

Sunday Mirror Sport exclusively revealed last month that Real Madrid are planning a bid to take the United keeper back to Spain in a deal that would see Gareth Bale move to Old Trafford.

Now it is understood that United’s plan to offer the 24-year-old a bank-busting basic wage in excess of £200,000-a-week won’t tempt De Gea into committing himself to a new long-term contract.

That is far more than Madrid are willing to pay. But De Gea has 18 months left on his current deal and he has told friends that his heart will decide where his future lies.

David De Gea's season - Premier League 36 Games 10 Clean sheets

That has given Madrid massive encouragement that they can prise the keeper away from Manchester – and with time ticking down on his contract they know that United’s £50million valuation is unrealistic for a player who will be available for free in the summer of 2016.

The European champions view it as a matter of national pride that they sign the man who is on the verge of replacing Iker Casillas as Spain’s No 1.

The fact they are contemplating sacrificing Bale to land De Gea illustrates Madrid’s determination – although United will be forced to also hand over a fee in excess of the British-record £60million they paid Real for Angel De Maria last summer to land the Welshman.

De Gea is happy at Old Trafford but the lure of Real could prove too much, especially if United fail to qualify for the Champions League.