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LONDON. — Manchester United have placed a world-record £50 million valuation on goalkeeper David de Gea in a bid to fend off Real Madrid’s growing interest.

And they will attempt to persuade the Spain No. 1 to stay at Old Trafford by offering him a £200 000-a-week five-year contract worth about £52m.

Madrid-born De Gea (24) is happy at United but is bound to be tempted by the chance to move back home and play for Real as Iker Casillas’s long-term replacement, even though his formative years were spent at their city rivals Atletico.

United have made De Gea’s future their top priority but the player is likely to want to wait until the summer before making any final decision because by then he will know if Louis van Gaal has guided the club back into the Champions League.

If he rejects a new deal, Untied will have little option but to cash in on De Gea because his value will plummet during the final season of the five-year deal he signed following his move from Atletico in 2011 for £18,6m — a British-record fee for a goalkeeper.

The new £50m valuation underlines De Gea’s development into one of the world’s best keepers after a faltering start to his United career when he struggled to deal with the physicality of the English game.

The world-record fee for a goalkeeper remains the £32,6m Juventus paid for Gianluca Buffon 14 years ago.

United have played down suggestions they could include De Gea in a swap deal with Gareth Bale. Club sources say while there is interest in Bale, Van Gaal’s priority remains strengthening defence and midfield with moves for Mats Hummels and Kevin Strootman. And United’s worldwide fan base have made their feelings clear.

Responding to a question on the MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust) Facebook page, 99 percent of supporters said they would prefer to keep De Gea than sign the Wales superstar.

A MUST spokesman said: “With this in mind it signals the challenge Ed Woodward (United’s executive vice-chairman) and the Glazers have to get United’s most popular player signed up on a new contract, before Real Madrid attempt to prise him away.” De Gea may be rested for Friday’s FA Cup tie at Cambridge, with Van Gaal considering giving a debut to Victor Valdes, the former Barcelona star who recently signed an 18-month contract.

Valencia are interested in signing midfielder Darren Fletcher, United’s longest-serving player. West Brom are also said to be preparing a bid. — The Daily Express.