Real Madrid to lodge formal attempt for Man Utd star

Real Madrid will intensify their pursuit of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea after becoming the first club to retain the Champions League crown in the modern era.

The Spanish champions held their own against Juventus in Cardiff last night as they beat the Serie A holders by a convincing 4-1 scoreline at the Principality Stadium.

De Gea has been a long-term target for the Bernabeu giants, and they previously failed to sign him in the summer of 2015 due to a faulty fax machine which delayed the paperwork on deadline day.

The former Atleti is said to be content with life in Manchester following the Red Devils' return to the Champions League via their Europa League triumph, but Los Blancos are still expected to lodge an official bid of around £60m.

Gianluigi Buffon is currently the most expensive shot-stopper following his £32.5m move to Juventus in 2001, but this record could be shattered in the next few days with Manchester City due to announce the arrival of Benfica' Ederson for a combined £34.7m package.

De Gea was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the third year running this term, and there is a sense that could move on due to the lack of progress in recent Premier League seasons.