David De Gea to Real Madrid: Manchester United to be tested with £22m after Karim Benzema snub

Real believe signing De Gea this summer is a formality and will make their opening offer next week

David De Gea has been heavily linked with Real Madrid (Getty Images)

Manchester United are set to have their resolve tested with Real Madrid preparing an opening £22m offer in the hope of landing goalkeeper David De Gea.

The Independent revealed on Wednesday that Real believe signing De Gea this summer is a foregone conclusion, with current No 1 Iker Casillas facing the exit door at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Real unwilling to play ball and meet United’s demand for Karim Benzema to be included in negotiations, United are expected to reject Real’s first approach, expected to be £18.3m plus £3.7m in add-ons.

Real have made De Gea their top priority this summer, but will wait until Spain’s match against Belarus on Sunday before increasing their interest in the 24-year-old. De Gea arrived at Old Trafford in 2011, and despite a shaky start to his career in the Premier League, he has improved considerably to grow into arguably the best shot-stopper in the top flight.

That improvement caught the eye of Real’s hierarchy some time ago, and with the belief that De Gea will be Casillas’ long-term successor in the Spanish national team, Real decided he was the man to replace the 34-year-old at club level too.

Real Madrid could bid for David De Gea in the next week (Getty Images)

With United determined to secure France international Benzema as part of any deal, talks are likely to hit a stumbling block given that neither the striker nor Real want to end their working relationship this summer.

With Casillas set to end his Real career after accepting the club needs a fresh approach to overhaul treble winners Barcelona, a move to the Premier League doesn’t appear to be on the cards despite previous links with Arsenal.

Casillas looks to be on his way out of Madrid (GETTY IMAGES)

Turkish side Fenerbahce and Italian clubs Inter Milan and Roma are believed to be leading the race for the 161-time capped Spanish international.