Manchester, May 18 (IANS): Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on Monday admitted that the football club will find it difficult to stop custodian David de Gea from leaving and joining La Liga giants Real Madrid this summer.

United is believed to have put forth a massive deal for the Spaniard but reports say de Gea wants to go back to Spain and therefore has not signed the deal yet.

“He is Spanish, he is Spanish international and now a Spanish club is coming. His girlfriend is Spanish, his father and mother come every week or every two weeks here. So it is difficult," van Gaal was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

De Gea injured himself and was replaced by Victor Valdes in the 74th minute against Arsenal on Sunday as the latter clinched a late 1-1 draw. But United fans applauded the 24-year-old as he left the pitch.

Despite admitting that it may be difficult to keep the goalkeeper at Old Trafford, van Gaal said he will not let him leave easily.

"With every individual transfer there is a process and there will be a process with David de Gea. David de Gea shall not leave us so easily because we are a great club and he wants to participate,” said van Gaal.