Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was accompanied by goalkeeper coach Eric Steele on his Spanish scouting trip this week.
The Mirror says Fergie was supposedly watching Champions League opponents Valencia on his surprise trip, but the cover was really blown when he sat down to watch De Gea with his expert Steele by his side.
Steele is always sent on trips by Ferguson when he is asked to cast his expert eye on goalkeeping signings - and young Atletico Madrid starlet David De Gea was the real reason for their Spanish sojourn.
Ferguson was given special guest seats for the game but any suggestion he was watching Valencia were shot down by Steele's presence.
Steele, signed by United from neighbours City, is rated one of the best goalkeeping gurus in the game and has watched several other targets in the past - but De Gea has now emerged as the top name on United's wanted list.