Report: United optimistic De Gea will sign new contract

Manchester United are reportedly upbeat about signing goalkeeper David de Gea to a new contract.

The Guardian's Jamie Jackson believes United will offer De Gea a "marked increase" on his current stipend of £180,000 a week.

The 27-year-old's deal expires at the end of the 2018-19 campaign. Even though the club have an option to extend it by another year, there's an apparent urgency to reward their star player with better terms.

De Gea is widely regarded as one of the best 'keepers in world football, routinely pulling off incredible acrobatic saves to keep United in contention. He made another one of his signature stops in the Red Devils' opening 2-1 win Friday over Leicester City.

United's player of the season in four of the past five seasons, De Gea came close to joining Real Madrid in 2015. A clerical error prevented Los Blancos from signing the Spanish shot-stopper for just under £30 million.

Madrid's recent acquisition of Thibaut Courtois would appear to rule out an imminent move for De Gea in the near future. Courtois completed a reported £35-million transfer to the club last week.