David De Gea coy on new contract talks as Manchester United seek to tie goalkeeper down to new long-term deal

David De Gea has refused to be drawn on his contract situation after Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho revealed a plan to get the goalkeeper to commit his future to the club until 2023.

The Spain international has been a long-term transfer target for Real Madrid, having come within minutes of joining the Liga club in 2015, but Real’s interest in the 27-year-old appears to have somewhat cooled since the move collapsed.

De Gea has emerged as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and United manager Mourinho expressed his desire last week to tie him down to the club for the next five years, with a long-term contract offer set to be put in front of his representatives.

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But even though Mourinho elected to speak publically about the matter, De Gea is choosing to keep his cards close to his chest, and decided not to address the speculation in an interview with Sky Sports. Instead, he explained what it means to him to play for a club of United’s reputation.

“Just being part of this club is special in itself,” said De Gea. “Being a player and a part of this club is special, so when you get to wear the shirt, you go to away games, that's something you are always proud of and is very special.

“Being part of such a great club like Manchester United fills you with emotion and you gradually realise how much the club means to the fans and the people who work here.

“They really live for the game, so that does become part of you and you can only appreciate that having spent time here.”

De Gea moved to Old Trafford back in 2011 from Atletico Madrid – Real’s city rivals – and overcame a nervous start to life with United to emerge as one of the leading ‘keepers in the Premier League, helping the side to win the title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge of the club in 2012/13.

He leads this season’s highest number of clean sheets in the Premier League with 13, and his form has led Mourinho to speak to the club’s board regarding a new deal for the Spaniard, with his current deal due to expire at the end of next season.