Manchester United transfer news: David De Gea never planned to run down contract and join Real Madrid for free

The goalkeeper has signed a new deal at Old Trafford which runs until 2019

De Gea saw his dream move to Real Madrid collapse on transfer deadline day (Getty Images)

David De Gea has revealed that he never intended to let his contract at Manchester United run down and leave for Real Madrid on a free transfer.

The Spanish goalkeeper recently signed a new deal at Old Trafford following the collapse of his proposed move to the Spanish club on transfer deadline day.

De Gea could have remained on his current contract, which expires next summer, and left for nothing at the end of the season.

However, according to the Manchester Evening News, he has told his United teammates that he never had any intention to of letting his deal run down.

The 24-year-old, who has long held ambitions of playing for Real, is now signed up to the Old Trafford club until 2019, with the option of extending his stay to a further year. United will, therefore, be in a much stronger bargaining position should Los Merengues return with a fresh approach next summer.

The club were not prepared to let their Player of the Year for the past two seasons leave for less than a world record goalkeeper fee, despite the possibility of losing him for nothing.

A deal with Real was agreed on the final day of the transfer window but, at the eleventh hour, an administrative error meant the transfer could not be completed.

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