Real Madrid Transfer News: David De Gea Instigates Move, Alvaro Morata Rumours

Real Madrid look to be edging ever closer to signing Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, with the latest reports suggesting the Spaniard has informed the Red Devils he wants the move.

A long-rumoured target of Real's as they look for a replacement for the declining Iker Casillas, De Gea's link to Los Blancos is unsurprising as he is a Madrid native and former Atletico Madrid player, per Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond:

United would surely be loath to see him go as he was their star performer last season, but Goal.com's Duncan Castles reports that the 24-year-old "has informed Manchester United that he wishes to join Real Madrid."

With only a year left to run on De Gea's contract, United would have to let him go for free if they decided to keep him until next summer.

A £17.8 million purchase from Atleti in 2011, De Gea has become one of the world's best keepers, and it would seemingly be bad business to not make any money off him.

AS suggests the Red Devils could be persuaded to part with De Gea this summer, if Madrid striker Karim Benzema was offered in part-exchange, via Sport Witness:

Castles also reports United boss Louis van Gaal's interest in Real and Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who could potentially be used by Madrid as a bargaining chip in the De Gea purchase. 

Such is Real's clout in the transfer market that they invariably get their man—see Cristiano Roanldo's transfer in 2009.

It seems they are moving closer to snapping up De Gea, and a move for him this summer is looking increasingly likely.

Benitez Wants Morata Return

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

Newly installed Real boss Rafael Benitez is reportedly eager to see Juventus' Alvaro Morata return to the Bernabeu just a year after he was sold to the Serie A champions by Los Blancos.

According to Marco Ruiz in AS, the former Napoli boss has told Real president Florentino Perez he wants to see the 22-year-old striker return to the Spanish capital.

Morata scored a goal in each leg as Juve knocked Real out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage in May, and also netted in the Italian side's 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the final.

He would reportedly cost €30 million (£21.9 million) for Real to bring him back to Spain having been sold for €22 million (£16 million) last summer, per Ruiz.

Real do have a re-purchase clause which they can activate, but his arrival would put the future of Benzema in doubt.

The Frenchman's mooted move to United, as noted above, could be on if Morata's arrival sees him fall down the pecking order under Benitez.