Atletico Madrid will request to take David de Gea on loan from Manchester United if Thibaut Courtois make his return to Chelsea at the end of the season, The Daily Mail reports.

According to the newspaper, the United goalkeeper has been linked with an early return home after struggling to cement his position between the Old Trafford sticks in his second season at the club.

De Gea, who joined Manchester United last season after a £18 million transfer, has failed to meet after two impressive years defending the Atletico Madrid goal.

Los Colchoneros would happily take de Gea back, especially if Chelsea recall the impressive Belgian stopper, Thibaut Courtois after a two-year loan at Atletico that has proven the £8million the Blues shelled out for him was value for money.

De Gea has also been linked with Real Madrid as a long-term replacement for Iker Casillas, although this option seems unlikely after Real signed Diego Lopez in the January window due to Casillas being sidelined for two months.

Although Alex Ferguson has publicly stood up for De Gea in several occasions, United would have to sign a new goalkeeper if the Spaniard finally moves back home. The name of Stoke City keeper Asmir Begovic has been bandied around in the past few weeks after an outstanding Premier League season for Tony Pulis' side.

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