Fergie closes in on De Gea

Manchester UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has wasted little time in setting about his task of rebuilding his squad with a third summer signing – Atletico Madrid goalkeeper David de Gea – likely to be confirmed in the next 24 hours.

Having brought in Blackburn’s England Under-21 Phil Jones to add depth to his defence and Aston Villa’s Ashley Young to bring more attacking impetus to midfield, the Red Devils boss is arguably on the verge of completing the most key signing.

De Gea, a European Championship winner with Spain’s Under-21s on Saturday, is the man chosen to fill the void left by veteran Edwin van der Sar’s retirement and he is understood to have had a medical in Manchester yesterday.

The expected completion of the 20-year-old’s transfer, for a reported £17 million, will push Ferguson’s spending in June close to £50m.