Real Madrid are reportedly back in the hunt for Manchester United goalkeeper and long-term transfer target David de Gea.
According to Jose Felix Diaz of Marca, Real Madrid have rekindled their interest in Manchester United’s undisputed number-one David de Gea. The Spanish giants are preparing to make an audacious bid in the region of €65 million as they believe it will trigger the player’s release clause at the club.
De Gea was all set to become a Real Madrid player at the start of last season, but stayed put at Old Trafford due to a fax machine debacle. A reported £29.3 million deal had been agreed by the two parties, but courtesy of a delay in paperwork, the transfer could not move forward.
Keylor Navas was set to go the other way, but was delighted at the events that unfolded. The entire scenario also drew a bright smile on the faces of the Manchester United faithful, as de Gea played a key role in sparing the blushes of a hapless Red Devils defence in the 2015/16 season.
The Spanish goalkeeping sensation went on to become the club’s player of the season and also made the PFA Team of the Year for his spirited performances between the sticks for the Manchester outfit.
Within the next of couple of weeks, de Gea signed an extension, committing the next four seasons to the Red Devils. However, reports circulated in November last year suggesting that there was a release clause added to his contract.
Real are now reportedly looking to trigger the clause by tabling a colossal €65 million bid for the former Atletico Madrid keeper. The club hierarchy are looking at de Gea as an option due to Navas’ inconsistent performances in goal this season.
In 13 appearances, the Costa Rican has managed to keep just four clean-sheets. His distribution has also not been of the level manager Zinedine Zidane would have wanted, but the Frenchman still has complete faith in his number one.
While de Gea appears to be as a promising option for Zidane, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho will do everything he can to persuade the Spaniard to stay. The keeper, too, appears to be content with life at United, but could be tempted to move at the end of the season should the Red Devils fail to deliver Champions League football for the second season in a row.
