Real Madrid have launched 'Operation David de Gea’… so is this the summer that the Spanish giants finally get the Manchester United goalkeeper?

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There was a moment during the Manchester derby when Sergio Aguero aimed for the far corner and David De Gea dived to make the save.

Most goalkeepers would have palmed Aguero’s curler away for corner. De Gea didn’t. He caught it, mid-dive, mid-air, made it look easy, and went on to keep another clean sheet.

Real Madrid have launched ‘Operation De Gea’ to get the goalkeeper with the safest hands in the Premier League, according to reports in Spain. So, will this be the summer the Spanish giants finally sign the shot-stopper they’ve targeted for three years?

The summer transfer window will likely see David de Gea leave Manchester United

The Spaniard showed off his world-class attributes during the recent Manchester derby

De Gea to Madrid is one of those transfer stories that emerges at the end of every season, like Karim Benzema to Arsenal.

Spanish publication Marca – seen as Real Madrid’s mouthpiece – used their front page on Friday to say that De Gea has told United he wants to go. They went as far as to say that the Madrid-born goalkeeper had requested the move personally to his bosses, including Jose Mourinho.

The asking price is apparently £60million and terms are said to have been agreed for the experienced Premier League player who is still only 26, according to Marca.

Their report coincided with rumours that he has put his £3.85m mansion in Manchester up for sale, which will not have helped ease the minds of United fans either.

Real Madrid's mouthpiece Marca have reported that De Gea has personally asked to leave

It is two years since Madrid failed in an 11th hour attempt, in August 2015, to sign De Gea

Insiders, though, think De Gea is relaxed about it rather than itching to leave. The same cannot be said for those at the Bernabeu, however.

It is two years since Madrid failed in an 11th hour attempt on August 31, 2015 to sign De Gea due to fax machine issues. The interest is there but so is a contract with United that runs until 2019.

It is nevertheless a concern for the club, who do not want to lose their superstar between the sticks or have him unsettled.

De Gea has won their Player of the Year award for three years running and, for the fourth time in the past five seasons, was named in the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year.

His role this season has been reduced, however.

Mourinho has sorted out the club’s defence, who have only conceded 24 goals this season. It is the second best in the Premier League and means De Gea has had less to do.

Out of Europe’s top five divisions, De Gea ranks second for fewest shots on target faced, having made 89 saves.

When he is called upon, however, the Spaniard is world class.

The 26-year-old has won United's Player of the Year award for the last three years running

According to Gary Neville, De Gea is as good as Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois, if not better.

‘De Gea was fantastic [against City] in the bits of work he had to do,’ Neville said. ‘He was calm, composed, authoritative.

'If United were to lose De Gea, it would be a big problem. It would not be easy to replace him. He's right at the top level now.

'You're talking about Courtois, Neuer, that level of goalkeeper, that's where he is now. I think he is better than [Hugo] Lloris.’

Club legend Gary Neville has already outlined the 'big problem' United have if De Gea leaves

After a shaky start in England De Gea established himself as one of the world's finest stoppers

The man who matters most refused to entertain the idea of De Gea leaving at the end of the season too.

‘I’m not interested in the speculation,’ Mourinho said. ‘If the player is, he shouldn’t be because we are playing very important teams and every match is crucial.’

Life in England wasn’t easy at first for De Gea. It was in 2011 when he was accused of stealing a £1.19 Krispy Kreme doughnut from Tesco, after all.

Now, De Gea is one of the world’s greatest goalkeepers. With United in the running for Champions League football, they may feel they can keep hold of him.

If not, those in Manchester should be aware that Madrid are ready to try again.

Fans were elated the last time De Gea decided to stay, but things may change this summer