Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague has admitted that David de Gea could leave Manchester United in the future, even if he signs a new contract at Old Trafford.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper has been heavily linked with reigning European champions Real Madrid in recent weeks, and speculation has intensified following United's signing of former Barcelona stopper Victor Valdes.
While Balague believes that De Gea will renew his current deal at United, he has said that the Spain international may ultimately end up at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"He is negotiating a new deal with Manchester United and that seems to be the priority now," Balague told Sky Sports News.
"So I think he will sign a new contract and become the best-paid goalkeeper in the world, ahead of [Madrid's Iker] Casillas perhaps.
"But that does not mean he will stay at Manchester United though, because it is quite clear that both Valdes and De Gea's finish their contracts at the same time in a year and a half."
De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
Steven Toplis
