David De Gea to Real Madrid: Manchester United goalkeeper's contract 'contains £40million release clause'

The clause, which would be triggered by a €50million bid, apparently only remains active for another month

De Gea has been a long-term target for Real Madrid (Getty)

David De Gea’s contract reportedly includes a clause which allows him to move to Real Madrid, provided that the La Liga club submit a bid of around £40million before 15 June.

According to Spanish daily newspaper AS, the clause was inserted into the new four-year deal that the Manchester United goalkeeper signed last September.

The clause, however, which would be triggered by a €50million bid, only remains active for another month.

De Gea, a long-term target for president Florentino Perez, saw a prospective £29.5million move to Madrid collapse at the eleventh hour of last summer’s transfer deadline day.

The Spain international, a native of Madrid, subsequently signed improved terms at Old Trafford, which would allow United to demand more for their star player.

De Gea has won the club’s player of the year award in each of the last three seasons, having matured into one of the continent’s best goalkeepers since moving from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

According to widespread reports across Tuesday’s newspapers, De Gea’s future at United rests on the identity of the club’s manager next season.

The 25-year-old, who is a client of agent Jorge Mendes, is reportedly willing to stay on at Old Trafford if Jose Mourinho, another Mendes client, takes over from Louis van Gaal.