David De Gea to Real Madrid is a story which isn’t going to disappear. And unlike many transfer rumours, there are good reasons for that.
The goalkeeper very much wanted to leave Manchester United and join Real Madrid during the summer 2015 transfer window and it was only a technical hitch, or some great dirty work from Ed Woodward, which saw his move fail.
De Gea is a better goalkeeper than Keylor Navas and that’s only become more apparent since the failed deal. Navas is better than many give him credit for but he’s certainly not at De Gea’s level. And a crucial Navas disadvantage is that he’s not Spanish.
After the Iker Casillas era, Florentino Perez would surely love to have Spain’s undisputed first choice goalkeeper, and someone who was also born locally.
El Confidencial report that earlier this year, over dinner, De Gea spoke to Jorge Mendes about a Real Madrid transfer. Mendes is said to have informed the goalkeeper of Madrid’s continued desire to buy him, and the pair spoke at length about the possibility.
It’s claimed Real Madrid still have an advantage in any chase because there’s a €50m clause to get De Gea. There’s been many contradicting claims on the existence of a clause, and of its amount, but El Confidencial reckon it’s €50m.
Manchester United, not wanting to be left behind, have informed Mendes they want to start talks with De Gea over a new deal. That would include a significant pay rise and also see the footballer’s clause rise to €70m.
Jose Mourinho is said to be keen to keep De Gea, but won’t hold him back if his desire is to move to Real Madrid. If the clause exists he couldn’t hold him back anyway.
Much will depend on what happens between now and the end of the season, with El Confidencial believing Mendes will seek an answer from De Gea in May. If the player gives a green light to a Manchester United exit then Real Madrid will go all guns blazing and try and do a deal early.
