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Manchester United have been given fresh hope in their bid to keep hold of David de Gea, with sources close to the player indicating that he is in no rush to return to Spain.

The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of next season and is yet to agree a new deal.

Real Madrid are keen to take the Spanish international back to his homeland after identifying him as the ideal successor to Iker Casillas.

United are wary of the lure of the Bernabeu after seeing Cristiano Ronaldo head there for a then world record £80m in 2009.

They are prepared to make him the highest paid goalkeeper in the world on £200,000-a-week.

But the longer a deal goes unsigned, the more anxious Old Trafford’s hierarchy will become.

De Gea’s agent Jorge Mendes is currently negotiating with United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward.

And while they have yet to reach an agreement, it is understood that the player is happy at Old Trafford and has no immediate desire to return to his home town of Madrid.

De Gea’s girlfriend – the pop star Edurne Garcia – sparked fears he would end his time at United when she was quoted as saying Manchester is ‘not very nice.’ She has since denied those comments.

De Gea has established himself as one of the best keepers in the world after a difficult start in English football.

United are desperate to tie him down to a long-term deal – but the signing of former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes on a free transfer is regarded as a security measure in case they lose their first choice.

Any new deal for De Gea could contain a buyout clause if Real come calling.

It would at least ensure United get top money for a player they spent £18.9m on when signing him from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

MORE: Who would you keep and sell this summer if you were Louis van Gaal.