MANCHESTER, England (AP) Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal made it clear on Saturday that David De Gea will command a big transfer fee if the goalkeeper targeted by Real Madrid is to leave Old Trafford.
De Gea was rested for the opening day victory over Tottenham as Van Gaal said the 24-year-old Spain international was not in the right frame of mind.
Asked if he hoped the transfer saga will end soon, Van Gaal told BT Sport: ''I'm not the most important part. The most important part is the player and of course the club who wants to buy him. He is our best player for two or three years already, chosen by the fans, so we cannot let him go so easily.''
But he added that ''we have to pay a lot of money for all the players we want, and we want to sell at the same level.''
He wouldn't be drawn on details of a Madrid offer, saying ''it's not the place and I think it's not of your business neither.''
Speculation that the Madrid-born keeper could be heading home has been heightened by the fact that De Gea has only one year left his contract - and can leave for free at the end of the season.
Sergio Romero was between the posts for United in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Spurs at Old Trafford.
