David De Gea set to join Manchester United

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David De Gea is set leave his hometown side and come to Old Trafford in the summer. Despite just being 20-years-old, the Spaniard is highly regarded and is rated by many as Iker Casillas' heir apparent as Spain's No 1. De Gea, along with Maarten Stekelenburg and Manuel Neuer, are thought to have been on the radar of United since current No 1 Edwin van der Sar announced that he would be retiring at season's end. Fergie had this to say tonight about De Gea after Gary Neville's testimonial:

"We've been working on it for quite awhile. We identified him quite awhile back as one we should go for."

The deal for the U-21 Spain international is thought to be in the neighborhood of £16 million. It was thought that Fergie would shy away from such a young replacement, especially after his difficulties in replacing Peter Schmeichel. However, De Gea carries the reputation of having great mental fortitude and the youngster already has a European winner's medal after Atletico Madrid won the Europa League in 2010.