David de Gea to Real Madrid: Manchester United goalkeeper set for Old Trafford exit 'this week - reports

Red Devils may be about to lose their star goalkeeper

(Getty)

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is set to leave for Real Madrid this week, according to reports in Spain.

The 24-year-old delivered a host of fine displays to help Louis van Gaal's men towards Champions League qualification last season but Marca, long associated with Madrid, now reports he is finally set to leave Old Trafford.

De Gea, hoping to cement a spot in the Spain national side, has been linked with a move to the La Liga giants all summer with Sergio Ramos thought to be heading the other way.

United have failed in their pursuit of the new Madrid captain, but Real boss Rafa Benitez remains focused on luring De Gea back to his homeland and away from the North West.

Louis van Gaal shouts his orders from the dug-out (Getty Images)

Just yesterday, it was rumoured that Van Gaal had reportedly told officials to "unlock" negotiations with their Spanish counterparts so that De Gea can be sold and Jasper Cillessen be brought in to replace him.

Marca stoked the fire when they published a front page splash featuring the headline 'De Gea week', implying the two parties have finally agreed to do business after a summer of cloak and dagger politics.

The daily Spanish sports newspaper are considered to be Real's mouth piece in the media, however, so United fans should be reassured that their star 'keeper may not necessarily be leaving this summer.

Van Gaal, according to the report, is consigned to losing De Gea before the end of the transfer window and has already turned his attentions to finding his replacement.