Manchester United in 'advanced talks' with Real Madrid over David De Gea transfer

David De Gea's move to Real Madrid has long been a question of when rather than if, and it seems the answer could be earlier than had initially been expected. Following on from recent reports that the Spanish club were willing to fork out the £29 million price tag to sign the goalkeeper is this from the Daily Mail's Adam Crafton:

Manchester United and Real Madrid are now in advanced discussions over the transfer of David De Gea. Talks finally opened between the two parties on Monday lunchtime and Madrid remain confident of striking a deal today.

The Daily Mail may be bad at just about everything else, but their United stories (with a byline) usually have some basis in reality. Add that to the other rumours we've heard over the last few days, and it seems highly probable that De Gea will soon be a Real Madrid player.

United probably won't be able to replace him before the deadline shuts, but at least we'll have a goalkeeper who wants to be here -- even if he can't catch.