Manchester United adamant they won't drop De Gea’s price tag

Manchester United are adamant that they will not blink first if Real Madrid take them to the brink over David De Gea.

De Gea’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has flown into Manchester in a bid to negotiate a compromise deal that will see the Spaniard get his dream move to the Bernabeu before the transfer deadline at midnight on Tuesday.

And reports from the Spanish capital claim that Real have already put preparations in place to unveil the 24-year-old as their new No 1 later that day.

But high-level sources at Old Trafford were last night insisting that United will not lower their £30million-plus valuation of the player.

Sunday Mirror Sport has been told that there has been no fresh contact with Real over De Gea.

And United are already resolved to standing firm in the brinksmanship that is set to unfold over the next 48 hours.

United have told Madrid that their position is set in stone.

The Spanish giants must meet De Gea’s valuation - or accept a deal which would see the keeper used in a makeweight for Gareth Bale to move to Manchester.

Real will not countenance the Welshman’s departure, so now they must show United the money.

As Sunday Mirror Sport revealed in June, United have already identified Ajax keeper Jasper Cillessen to replace De Gea.

But the stalemate with Madrid has put that deal in doubt because the Dutch club have briefed that it could hinge on them landing Tottenham’s Michel Vorm.

Ajax are furious that they have been left in limbo while De Gea’s future is decided.

They value Cillessen at £25million - and the Dutch international is desperate to move to Old Trafford.