United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has identified De Gea as the perfect long-term replacement for Edwin van der Sar and the Premier League champions have been talking to the Spaniard for several weeks about a move.
“We know the keeper we want and are in a good position, and I'm sure we can get the deal done,” said chief executive David Gill last Sunday.
He was talking about De Gea, 20, who has indicated he feels the opportunity to join United is too good to turn down and is ready to reject a new contract offer from Atletico, where his current deal expires in 2013.
A deal worth £17.5m has been agreed in principal with United for some time and Ferguson is convinced the Spain under-21 international has the ability to be the club's No.1 for many years.
Further indication that United are close to signing to De Gea is provided by the fact the representatives of Maarten Stekelenburg have accepted the Ajax goalkeeper is going to miss out on his dream move and are now encouraging talks with other clubs.
Ferguson spoke earlier this week about his desire to sign three players in the summer transfer window, with a goalkeeper his most pressing concern as 40-year-old Van der Sar is retiring at the end of the season.
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