Report: Real Madrid confident of completing £29-million signing of David De Gea

The saga of David De Gea's long-rumoured move to his hometown club is reportedly on the brink of coming to an end.

Real Madrid feels like a breakthrough has finally been made in its pursuit of the Spanish 'keeper, and is confident of completing a deal on Sunday valued at €40 million (£29 million), according to Miguel Delaney of The Independent.

Officials from Manchester United are apparently in Madrid to negotiate the transfer, and have been angling to make a last-ditch bid for Gareth Bale. However, Real Madrid will allegedly not sell the Welsh attacking midfielder for any price.

Delaney's report marks a U-turn from just over one week ago, when United manager Louis van Gaal claimed that De Gea, who reportedly agreed to personal terms some time ago, would not be leaving Old Trafford before the closure of the summer transfer window.

Related: Louis van Gaal rules out sale of goalkeeper David De Gea

Mark Ogden of The Telegraph adds that United is prepared to sell De Gea before Tuesday's deadline and that an offer "which is regarded as serious and reflective" could allow a late deal to be struck after the club maintained that only a bid of €48 million (£35 million) would suffice.

De Gea has apparently resisted a new long-term contract from United worth £200,000 per week and the club has acknowledged that, should Real Madrid fail to sign the shot-stopper this summer, he will leave on a free transfer when his contract expires in 2016.