Hugo Lloris is on "stand-by" with Manchester United, if David De Gea does indeed go to Real Madrid this summer, sources have told ESPN FC.
The Tottenham Hotspur No. 1 is now 28 and at the point where he wants regular Champions League football, and there has been an initial contact with United.
Lloris is open to the move, having told Spurs his situation, and awaiting developments in the De Gea situation.
United want to keep De Gea -- and remain hopeful of doing so -- but the fact that he has not yet signed a new contract has naturally led to contingency plans and an exploration of how to best handle the situation.
The Old Trafford club have a long-standing interest in Gareth Bale -- both for his quality and what he represents as a star signing -- and know that, if it does get to the point where De Gea's move to Real Madrid is not preventable, they can leverage the situation to try and get the Wales forward.
Sources have told ESPN FC that is one reason why the move for PSV Eindhoven's Memphis Depay is not as advanced as it should be, because Bale remains an option and there is now a chance they might get him, considering the continued scrutiny of the former Tottenham player at Real.
Interest from Liverpool in Depay, however, may force United to move for the younger Dutch player.
United are looking to bring in five signings this summer, with manager Louis van Gaal insistent they be done as early as possible to allow the kind of tactical preparation time with a full squad that was denied to him last summer.
United confident they can complete deals with both Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund and Southampton's Nathaniel Clyne.
Depay and Bale are then options on the wing, and the club will wait to see what happens with their strikers.
If De Gea goes, it could mean a sixth signing, which will likely be Lloris.