Man U to negotiate with Portuguese keeper Rui

London, May 6 (ANI): Manchester United bosses will reach Lisbon today to negotiate a deal for Sporting keeper Rui Patricio, but the Portuguese club is apprehensive of being used as a tool by United in their bid to land main target David de Gea from Atletico Madrid.

United is searching for a new keeper with Edwin van der Sar, 40, retiring from the game.

United is adamant that is not the case and have so far knocked down stories of an 18 million pounds offer for De Gea being accepted by Atletico.

They have already bid seven million pounds for Patricio, which has been rejected by Sporting, who want 12 million pounds.

Now they will meet Sporting officials face to face in the Portuguese capital and try to reach a compromise, The Sun reports.

Patricio, 23, is more experienced than De Gea, 20, as a Portuguese international who has made 167 first-team appearances for his club. (ANI)