Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid, according to the Spanish publication Marca.

The newspaper claims the 24-year-old has agreed a deal worth around £4 million a year after tax, with a contract length between five and six years. All that is missing to make the transfer complete is an agreed fee between the two clubs.

United had been attempting to sign De Gea to a five-year contract with a massive buy-out clause. But the young shot stopper has been keen on the idea of returning to Spain where his girlfriend currently lives and where he began his professional career.

The major obstacle in De Gea’s way has always been the future of Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Casillas’ current deal doesn’t expire until June 2017 and the veteran player is a major influence in the club’s dressing room.

Prior to a few weeks ago, the team captain was reluctant to give up his starting role and the club feared unsettling the player after the chaos that engulfed the dressing room when Jose Mourinho benched the veteran.

But Casillas opened the door to De Gea’s arrival last month when he said he would accept a role as Madrid’s second choice goalkeeper.

While professing his desire to remain the Real Madrid’s number one, Casillas revealed he had reached an age where he sees things differently than before.

He said even though he would not be happy having to concede his starting role in the squad, the team captain said he would share his knowledge with Real Madrid’s next generation.

Those statements may have effectively ended De Gea’s time in Manchester.

Should Marca’s story prove correct, expect United to demand a transfer fee in the range of £30 million for the 24-year-old goalkeeper.