David De Gea to Real Madrid: Manchester United goalkeeper has not spoken to Louis van Gaal for 'a few months'

Relationship between the United goalkeeper and manager is reported to have broken down amid contract extension talks

Louis van Gaal and David De Gea (Getty Images)

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is believed to be nearing a completion in negotiations for a new contract, but reports in Spain suggest that the delay has been partly caused by him and manager Louis van Gaal blanking each other for months.

Spanish newspaper AS reports that the relationship between the goalkeeper and manager has broken down so much that it could force the Spaniard to seek a move to another club at the end of the season, with Real Madrid heavily interested in United’s No 1.

The report claims that Van Gaal’s frosty personality is to blame for the breakdown in communications, and with a deal yet to be agreed between the two parties, the prospect of De Gea leaving Old Trafford in the near-future is a very distinct possibility.

"What is pushing De Gea away from Manchester and nearer to Madrid is his bad relationship with Van Gaal," the report claims.

"They have not spoken to each other for a few months."

It’s also suggested that Van Gaal’s recent snipe at De Gea shows the relationship between the two is at an all-time low, with the 63-year-old saying that to suggest De Gea was winning the club points on his own with his saves would be wrong because that’s his job as a goalkeeper.

"I think he doesn't save many points because he's my goalkeeper," said Van Gaal earlier this season.

"His obligation is to hold balls and you are thinking that is an exception for other goalkeepers and it's not.

"I'm sorry for that."

De Gea has 17 months left to run on his contract (Getty Images)

Talks are ongoing over a new contract for the Spain international, with the club reported to have offered him a deal that would see him become the highest paid goalkeeper in the world. However, De Gea’s party, which includes his agent Jorge Mendes, are insisting that a release clause of no more than £25m is put into a new contract.

De Gea currently has 17 months to run on his current contract, which expires at the end of the 2015-16 season, and his emergence as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League has led to United's decision to tie down his future before it gets too late.

David De Gea is wanted by Real Madrid (Getty Images)

That would certainly alert Real, who have made a habit of signing one blockbuster name every summer following the additions of Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale in recent years.