Manchester United are ready to hand David De Gea a new contract, but they are comfortable the deal has not been agreed thus far.

De Gea’s representatives have been in talks in some manner, for over six-months as United look to tie down the Spaniard – who is already the highest paid goalkeeper in world football.

United are ready to move De Gea into the Premier League’s biggest earners, on around £250,000 – putting him in the league’s top-five alongside team-mate Romelu Lukaku. Only team-mates Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil and Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City would be earning more.

De Gea’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, in theory – as United do have a 12-month option which they would exercise meaning his deal actually runs until 2020.

Reports have again linked Real Madrid, but their summer signing of Thibaut Courtois makes a deal seem unlikely – but other clubs such as Juventus and Paris Saint Germain could very well be in the market for a new number one next summer.

Despite Courtois’s arrival, Bookmakers believe that Real is the most likely landing spot for De Gea – should he leave.

Paddy Power make Real Madrid the odds-on 8/11 favourite to secure his signature. Juventus are next up in the betting at 5/1.

Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Ed Woodward and his team are currently manically dusting off the fax machine at Old Trafford.

“David de Gea has been linked with a move away, following reports that he’s worried about Jose Mourinho’s ability to win trophies. Real Madrid are still the odds-on favourites to secure the star, and judging off their recent results he’d be a welcome addition.”