Monday 4 May 2015 14:59, UK
Man Utd are becoming "frustrated" with lack of information they have over David de Gea's future, according to the Sunday Supplement.
De Gea has been the subject of fierce speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid and the Daily Mail’s north-west football correspondent, Ian Ladyman, claims United have no idea whether the Spaniard will accept a lucrative new deal at Old Trafford or return back to his home city.
United have reportedly ruled out a swap deal which would see long-term target Gareth Bale head in the opposite direction for De Gea.
And, speaking on the Sunday Supplement, Ladyman backed up this notion, claiming United were addressing both the acquisition of Bale, and keeping hold of De Gea, as separate issues.
With De Gea, they obviously want to keep him; they are offering him a lot of money. They also understand why he might want to leave.
“Bale and De Gea are two separate subjects as far as Manchester United are concerned and that’s the way they would like to keep it,” he said.
“They are desperate to make sure De Gea doesn’t become part of a Bale move, they are not interest in offering the goalkeeper in part exchange for Bale.
“With De Gea, they obviously want to keep him; they are offering him a lot of money. They also understand why he might want to leave; they are not stupid at Manchester United.
“What is frustrating United at the moment is that De Gea has given them absolutely no indication about what he might want to do.
“They haven’t got a clue because he clearly hasn’t made his mind up. There comes a time, though, when there has to be a date when they say ‘David we need this decision now’.”
United’s interest in Bale has not dampened in the ensuing years, and Ladyman confirmed manager Louis van Gaal would have the funds to try to lure the Welshman, and further high-profile targets, to Old Trafford in the summer.
“With Bale it’s slightly less complicated,” Ladyman added. “United would like to sign him but they don’t know if Bale will be the marquee signing Real decide to sell this summer.
“We all know Madrid sell a big-name player every summer. If it is Bale, United will be involved.
“What people are saying privately is that the money is there not only for Bale, but for a whole lot of players as well.
“That’s good news for Van Gaal because he wouldn’t want to go into the summer choosing between transfer targets.
“United are saying to him ‘buy your players, do what you want to do and if other players become available we’ll buy them as well’.”
