David De Gea was on his way to Real Madrid during the summer transfer window, but the deal hit a snag that forced him to stay with Manchester United.

Following the cancelation of the deal, De Gea then signed a new four-year contract that could make him a Manchester United player until after the 2019 season. However, Daily Star suggested that signing a new deal with Manchester United does not mean De Gea will stay at Old Trafford for long.

It is no secret that Real Madrid is De Gea's dream club, while Los Blancos are also aching to get their hands on the Spanish international to take the place left by Iker Casillas.

According to the report, there is a strong possibility that De Gea just signed a deal to show respect to Manchester United. If not for the new deal, De Gea will be free to move to Real Madrid next offseason, leaving Manchester United empty-handed in the process.

"The keeper's decision to put pen to paper puts Louis van Gaal in a much stronger position when it comes to negotiating his sale," Jack Watts of Daily Star noted. "The deal is, however, rumoured to include a £30m buy-out clause to ensure that he will be able to move to the Bernabeu if he so wishes at the end of the campaign."

Since signing the new deal, De Gea showed why Real Madrid are eager to acquire him after leading Manchester United to two consecutive Premier League games. The 24-year-old also helped the Red Devils ran away with a 3-0 win over Ipswich Town in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. He wore the captain's armband late in the game.

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had nothing but praises for De Gea, who he acquired from Atletico Madrid for £18 million four years ago when he was still at the helm at Old Trafford. Ferguson said that De Gea could lead the Red Devils to Premier League championship this season.

"De Gea can actually win us the league," Ferguson said. "We are in a good position because City hadn't lost a game until last week and then United won at Southampton and the whole thing changes round. Chelsea have lost a couple of games, Arsenal have lost a game, if you are there around New Year's Day then they will have a good chance."

Manchester United are currently second in the English Premier League 2015-16 season standings with 13 points in six games -- just two points behind league-leading Manchester City.