Manchester United stars David De Gea and Robin Van Persie might end up leaving Old Trafford after the current season, multiple reports suggested.
Spanish powerhouse club Real Madrid are reportedly making a strong push to acquire De Gea from Manchester United as part of their preparation for the possible departure of top goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Real Madrid officials are also determined to acquire De Gea because the 24-year-old might eventually become Spain national soccer team's No. 1 goalkeeper, and the club wants to make sure that the top keeper in Spain will still be from their team.
De Gea, who moved to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in 2011, has 18 months left in his contract with Manchester United. Club manager Louis Van Gaal declined to comment on the contract situation of De Gea.
Van Gaal said that he wants to keep De Gea at Old Trafford, but he conceded that he will not be surprised if their top goalkeeper will eventually move to another team soon.
"Everything is possible in the world of football. We want to keep him," Van Gaal told ESPN, referring to De Gea, who has tallied 62 saves in 22 Barclays Premier League games this season.
Aside from De Gea, star forward Van Persie's future at Old Trafford remains uncertain at this point. The 31-year-old admitted that he is unsure if he will still be with Manchester United despite his close relationship with Van Gaal, who also coached Van Gaal during the manager's stint with the Netherlands national soccer team.
Van Persie had 18 goals under David Moyes last season. Most analysts expected that Van Persie will flourish under Van Gaal, but the Dutch connection has yet to work wonders for Manchester United this season.
Van Persie, who has only scored eight goals in 20 Premier League games this season, has 18 months left in his contract, and he is unsure if he will get a new deal before his current one expires.
"It is not up to me," Van Persie told ESPN, referring to his future at Old Trafford. "For the moment, I am staying here for 18 months. That is it really. I can't look into the future. I don't know what is going to happen after that, so we shall have to wait and see."
