Ramon Calderon believes David De Gea is in the middle of a poker game between Manchester United and Real Madrid.

The 24-year old goalkeeper continues to be heavily linked with a move to the Spanish giants but United are refusing to budge regarding a summer sale.

It has been reported that the Red Devils want a keeper world record of £33million for De Gea, which Real have baulked at, prompting a game of cat and mouse.

The pair of European heavyweights are also negotiating over a potential deal for defender Sergio Ramos with the two players expected to make their respective clubs pre-season trips to the USA (United) and Australia (Real) even though their futures are not yet sorted.

Former president of the Madrid club, Calderon, expects both De Gea and Ramos to travel with their clubs while suggesting that the former's plans for next season and beyond are still far from certain as the toing and froing continues.

"They have contracts so they can't say they won't go, unless they have a good reason, like an injury," said Calderon. "It is like a game of poker, with David De Gea in the middle."