Real Madrid have reportedly ended their pursuit of David De Gea with Zinedine Zidane set to keep faith in Keylor Navas as his number one.
According to a report in Spanish publication Don Balon, Manchester United have received a major boost in their attempt to keep hold of David De Gea in the summer transfer window. Real Madrid have ended their pursuit of the Spaniard with Zinedine Zidane set to back Keylor Navas next season.
De Gea is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, having been one of the most influential figures at Manchester United over the last six seasons with several match-winning performances to boot.
2016/17 again saw the Spain number one maintain a consistently high level despite not being tested as much as in seasons gone by, as he kept 14 clean sheets in 35 Premier League games – behind only Hugo Lloris and Thibaut Courtois in the race to win the Golden Glove.
Real Madrid have called off their pursuit of Manchester United’s David de Gea, per @marca pic.twitter.com/bnkFPLrOU6
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 7, 2017
However, his performances for Manchester United have also earned De Gea a huge admirer in Real Madrid. Los Blancos had failed in their pursuit of the 26-year-old in 2015 but, as per latest reports, they looked set to make another move for him this summer.
Keylor Navas had endured a below par campaign until April, with erratic, error prone performances often threatening to cost Real Madrid over the course of the season. However, the Costa Rican rediscovered his best form in the last two months of the campaign, and was instrumental in helping Real Madrid win the La Liga and Champions League double.
Hence, after being heavily linked with a summer exit from the Santiago Bernabeu, the shot stipper has managed to earn Zinedine Zidane’s trust with his stellar performances in the climactic end of the season. The Real Madrid boss is, thus, set to keep faith in Navas, thereby ending Los Blancos’ pursuit of De Gea.
Additionally, it also looks like Manchester United have priced out Real Madrid from any possible deal, as the Spanish champions were unwilling to shell out €75 million to secure De Gea’s services. De Gea is now set to stay put at Old Trafford, with the transfer saga coming to an end rather quickly.
