Real Madrid Transfer News: Top Names Eyed by Rafa Benitez in Latest Rumours

David De Gea’s much-discussed potential transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid seems to be edging ever closer, with the Spanish stopper reportedly having told his current team-mates he wants to leave.

That’s according to Sami Mokbel of the MailOnline, who claims the Spaniard has already made his intentions clear and that his Old Trafford exit is already being “openly discussed” among members of the Red Devils playing staff. The piece also states that Los Blancos will begin the bidding for the goalkeeper at £13 million.

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Here’s a look at how De Gea compared last season to the man many are expecting him to replace at the Santiago Bernabeu, Iker Casillas, per WhoScored.com:

Casillas has been an almost immovable figure between the sticks at the Bernabeu since the turn of the century, and it was always going to take a special talent to oust him from this position of eminent privilege. But if anyone is cut out for replacing the 34-year-old Real icon, it’s De Gea.

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The former Atletico Madrid man has blossomed into one of the world’s finest goalkeepers at Old Trafford. No longer is he a wiry, capricious presence at the base of this United team; he’s commanding, decisive and influential. Although he previously lined up for their city rivals, for a young Spaniard, the chance to join a club such as Real must be alluring.

However, Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette thinks De Gea should be hesitant about returning to Spain this summer:

A bid of £13 million won’t be enough to expedite any deal, even if De Gea does have just one year remaining on his contract. United will likely try to play on Real’s clear desires to land the 'keeper, and as such, a bid upward of £20 million would surely need to be lodged if any transfer is to go ahead.

It does seem a case of when and not if, though. Even for a club such as Manchester United, when Real do come calling for your players, it’s tough to stave them off. But when said player has just a year remaining on his contract and is a native of the Spanish capital, it’s likely to be even more difficult.

Pepe On The Move?

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According to Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday People (h/t the Sunday Mirror), Real are willing to sell veteran defender Pepe for £10.5 million this summer, with Manchester City and Chelsea reportedly keen on the 32-year-old.

Pepe was a critical player under former manager Carlo Ancelotti, but Hopkinson notes that Los Blancos will promote Raphael Varane next season, leaving the Portugal international’s future at the club in doubt. Real have also been linked with Valencia’s Nicolas Otamendi, per Paul Brown of the Daily Star.

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According to Nicholas Rigg of ESPN FC, the time is right for a change at the heart of the club’s defence:

For a player of Pepe’s stature, not being first choice may pose problems. While he would surely still get plenty of minutes, given Real’s involvement in myriad competitions, the defender will feel as though he should be an important member of the squad. For the aforementioned English juggernauts, he probably would be.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson took a look at how Real could reshape their squad this summer:

While Pepe's fiery temper and penchant for theatrics don’t endear him to neutrals, Madridistas have warmed to this dynamic, passionate defender. As we can see here, statistically, he still fares pretty well up against team-mates Sergio Ramos and Varane:

	Pepe	Ramos	Varane
Apps (Sub)	25 (2)	27	21 (6)
Goals	2	4	0
Tackles per Game	1.7	1.7	1.2
Interceptions per Game	1.8	2.4	2
Clearances per Game	3.7	3.9	5
Blocks per Game	0.6	0.8	0.7
Passing Accuracy	86.7%	90%	89%

As reported by M.A.J on Twitter, AS notes that Pepe is a hugely influential figure in the club’s dressing room and is one of the candidates to replace Casillas as club captain should he make way for De Gea:

"

AS: Pepe is the fourth captain & is one of the most decorated players in the dressing-room. He could even become captain if Iker leaves.

— M.A.J (@UltraSuristic) June 20, 2015"

Given his leadership qualities, experience and the fact that Real don’t have great depth at centre-back, it’d be a major surprise if the Los Blancos hierarchy decided to let Pepe leave this summer. But with just one year left on his current contract, the defender’s future is set to be a hot topic over the coming months.