Ferguson confirms interest in goalkeeper De Gea

Published May. 25, 2011 12:44 a.m. ET

foxsports

Manchester United is close to signing goalkeeper David De Gea from Atletico Madrid to replace Edwin van der Sar.

Manager Alex Ferguson confirmed on Tuesday that the English champions have been tracking Spaniard De Gea with the 40-year-old Van der Sar retiring after the Champions League final against Barcelona on Saturday.

''He's a young goalkeeper, very quick, good composure, presence, and an outstanding replacement for Van der Sar,'' Ferguson said on United's website. ''We were looking for the same type of qualities as Edwin, because the one great quality Edwin always had was his composure and organizational ability. With David De Gea, he is very similar that way.''

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said neither the 20-year-old De Gea nor Man United had informed them about a transfer, while insisting: ''We don't want to sell.''

''We don't know a thing,'' he added. ''The player is here and he'll have to go through a medical checkup ... (De Gea) knows well he can negotiate (with others) but they always have to stick to the (buy out) clause.''

De Gea, who is yet to play for Spain, won both the Europa League and European Super Cup in 2010 with Atletico.