Real Madrid Transfer News: Fresh David De Gea, Sami Khedira, David Alaba Rumours

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has told Manchester United’s David de Gea he should be happy with the Red Devils amidst rumours of potential interest from Real Madrid.

Speaking with talkSPORT, the Bayern Munich stopper said he thinks that even with a club like Los Blancos reportedly in the frame, the Spaniard should be thankful to find himself at such an illustrious club already.

"He is one of the top keepers in Europe and this year he has been superb," Reina said. "Maybe Real Madrid are looking for a 'keeper and De Gea is one of the names suggested, but I think he should be happy enough to play for Man United."

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With Iker Casillas edging ever-closer to the end of his playing days, questions will naturally be asked about which player is capable of filling the enormous void left by the Los Blancos captain.

Arguably, there are few more ideal candidates out there to take over than De Gea, and the player’s contract situation—it expires next summer—will do little to stave off potential interest.

The Madrid legend’s form hasn’t been particularly good either as of late. Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News thinks that poor displays from Casillas will only encourage Real in their potential approach:

Reina is correct in his assessment, though.

Playing for a club like United is an honour, and after the team took a chance on De Gea at such a young age, perhaps he does owe the Old Trafford club a degree of loyalty. But for a young man from the Spanish capital, if Real come knocking, the chances are you’ll be very tempted to make a potential switch.

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However, according to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, De Gea remains happy with United and is in no rush to make the move to La Liga.

Nonetheless, you suspect Red Devils supporters will rest a lot easier once the former Atletico Madrid man has committed to a new deal.

“Door Open” for Sami Khedira to Join Schalke

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FC Schalke 04 manager Roberto Di Matteo has been unashamed in admitting he wants to bring Khedira to the Veltins Arena, and as noted by ESPN FC, the former Chelsea boss has hailed the Germany international as “world-class”:

"

Name a coach who does not want Khedira. He is world class. If he wants to join us, the door is open.

We know that he is spoilt for choice and he can pick his club. It probably will get very difficult for us [to sign him].

"

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Di Matteo’s assessment of the situation is on the money. While Khedira is on the periphery of things at Real, he’s a player who would command a starting berth at the vast majority of clubs on the continent.

As such—and as mentioned in the ESPN FC piece—there are a host of quality sides interested in landing him, including Arsenal and Chelsea.

As noted by Alex Chaffer of FourFourTwo, Khedira has resembled a player who has much to prove whenever he’s been on the pitch as of late:

Schalke would be an intriguing prospect for the German. They’re building an exciting young side under the tutelage of Di Matteo and he’d be tasked with being the midfield rock upon which the foundations are built.

But as the the Italian suggested, it’d be tough for Schalke to lure him back to the Bundesliga if some other European juggernauts are interested.

Pep Guardiola Wants to Keep David Alaba

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According to Jose Felix Diaz in Marca, Alaba’s father held a meeting in Vienna to discuss the prospect of the Bayern Munich star signing with Real Madrid. However, a follow-up piece from the same source claims that Guardiola is not willing to let the Austrian leave the club in the upcoming window.

Here’s a look at why Alaba is rated as one of the very best young players around:

The player’s father and agent “think he deserves better,” and Diaz feels Real are a club who would welcome the 22-year-old to the Santiago Bernabeu “with open arms”.

But the player’s father, George, has dismissed any potential talk of a meeting with the Spanish giants in an interview with kicker (h/t Stefan Coerts of Goal.com).

"It's not true that I met with a Madrid delegation. There was never a meeting," he said. "There is absolutely no reason for us to speak with other clubs. David is very happy in Munich."

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Indeed, Alaba is really blossoming as a player under Guardiola’s tutelage. He’s played and shone in a variety of roles for this Bayern team and will play a key part in this side going on to challenge for UEFA Champions League glory come the end of the season.

As noted recently by Bleacher Report’s German football expert, Clark Whitney, Alaba seems to be adding more and more facets to his game under the current management:

While the bright lights of the Spanish capital may be enticing, there are few better clubs for the Austrian to continue his footballing development with than Bayern.

After achieving myriad honours with Bayern, he will surely consider making a move abroad to sample another challenge. While the prospect of him donning the iconic all-white is an enticing one, it looks unlikely to transpire for a while yet.