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Radamel Falcao could remain at Manchester United if David de Gea signs a new contract with the club.

Both Falcao and De Gea are represented by agent Jorge Mendes and United have intensified their efforts in recent weeks to keep their Spanish goalkeeper.

Falcao, who has not scored since January 31, could form part of an agreement whereby United decide to keep him for a second season to pacify Mendes.

United sources insist that, despite four goals in 27 appearances, 29-year-old Falcao is not certain to leave Old Trafford and his future is intertwined with that of De Gea.

Falcao has not played Champions League football since the 2009-10 season and Mendes is eager to rectify that ahead of next season, with United poised to qualify for the competition.

It is unclear what Louis van Gaal, who has attained more control than David Moyes did and spoken unflatteringly about Falcao in recent weeks, makes of the proposal to retain the striker.

United aim to sign the majority of their transfer targets before July so that they are with the club for the start of pre-season. Falcao, though, is likely to be involved in the Copa America, as are Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria, with Colombia, which ends on July 4. United's first pre-season game is in Seattle 13 days later.

Van Gaal revealed last month United had offered De Gea, 24, 'a lot of money', believed to be £200,000-a-week and Mendes, who has enjoyed a fruitful relationship with United dating back to Cristiano Ronaldo's 2003 transfer, is mindful not to antagonise United and allow his client to leave on a free next summer.

De Gea's £18.9m transfer to United in June 2011 was reportedly delayed so Mendes, who had signed a deal to represent the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, could replace De Gea's former agent, Hector Rincon.

United have also scouted Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte, who is believed to now be represented by Mendes after he sacked his agent in November.

De Gea's new contract could include a buyout clause, although there is a feeling amongst some United players the Spaniard has appeared distracted since his return from the international break.

De Gea carelessly conceded a Christian Benteke goal and was nutmegged by Eden Hazard in Chelsea's win over United last month before experiencing a shaky performance at Everton.

The Spain goalkeeper, however, is destined to claim the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for the second successive season and was named in the Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year.

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