Manchester United are hopeful Thibaut Courtois' move to Real Madrid will speed up contract negotiations with David De Gea, sources have told ESPN FC.
Courtois sealed a £35 million transfer from Chelsea to the Bernabeu last week, three years after the Spanish giants had come within a whisker of making De Gea their No.1.
In the aftermath of his failed move to Madrid in 2015, De Gea signed a new contract at Old Trafford. That deal has one year -- and a 12-month option -- left to run and United are keen to agree fresh terms with the 27-year-old, who has won the club's player of the year award in four of the past five seasons.
Sources have told ESPN FC that United were confident De Gea would sign an extension before Courtois' move, but there is an acceptance that Madrid's investment in the Belgium international, who is 18 months younger than De Gea, should help smooth the process.
United are hopeful of agreeing a five-year contract with De Gea, which would keep him at the club well into his 30s and guarantee a testimonial.
After arriving from Atletico Madrid for £18.9m in 2011, he is already into his eighth season at Old Trafford.