David De Gea has agreed terms with Real Madrid.
But Spanish newspaper Marca claim Louis van Gaal will now make the Manchester United keeper suffer.
Old Trafford chiefs want to get the best possible fee for the Spain star - and will hold out for as long as it takes.
Van Gaal is planning on putting off the deal for as long as possible to push up the price.
United are holding out for a world-record fee for a goalkeeper, believed to be in the region of £33m.
That eclipses the £32.6m Juventus paid to lure Gianluigi Buffon away from Parma in 2001.
Marca claim De Gea agreed personal terms last month. He was offered £200,000-a-week at United but turned that down to take a pay-cut at the Bernabeu.
The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of next season.
United will let him leave for nothing if Real don't fork out top dollar.