Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest David De Gea and Sergio Ramos Rumours

Real Madrid will have to part with £35 million this summer if they want to bring David De Gea to the Santiago Bernabeu, with Manchester United reportedly willing to keep the goalkeeper at the club unless their stratospheric valuation is met.

According to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror, from the Red Devils’ standpoint, if that means losing the Spain international on a free transfer next season, so be it. The piece also claims that United have had a bid of £35 million rejected for Sergio Ramos by Los Blancos, but they would be willing to broker a De Gea deal involving the 29-year-old.

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James Robson of the Manchester Evening News is delighted to see this renewed stubbornness from the Red Devils:

But from a Real Madrid standpoint, it’s an intriguing stand off. Given De Gea’s quality, it’s absolutely no surprise they are keen on bringing him to the Santiago Bernabeu. Considering the player’s links to the Spanish capital, where he was born and raised, the attraction for him is natural.

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A sum of £35 million isn’t likely to be beyond Real’s financial means, either, but getting him in on a free transfer just a season on would surely make business sense. After all, as we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, there was little to choose between De Gea and current Real Madrid No. 1 Iker Casillas last season:

Nonetheless, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Johnson thinks it’s an area which needs to be sorted out sooner rather than later:

The player’s own intentions could also play a major part in any deal too, with McDonnell claiming that De Gea is “determined” to broker a move back to his homeland. If that is the case, would United really be keen on keeping an unsettled player on their books when they can potentially get a substantial sum for him?

Perhaps it’s Ramos who holds the key to this deal. The aforementioned piece claims the Spaniard has fallen out with Real’s president Florentino Perez over the terms of a new contract, and the capital club are “losing the battle” to keep the defender in Spain, according to Ian Herbert of the Independent.

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Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand claimed a deal will not happen in a video for his No. 5 website (h/t Alex Young of Goal):

"

Ramos to Manchester United? It ain't happening. He ain't going to Manchester United.

He's at Real Madrid with, I think, a new contract coming up. Maybe the agent is putting [rumours] out saying he wants [to leave] so Real Madrid come back in with a bumper offer and he signs on the dotted line. Happy days.

"

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Ferdinand’s view is one that’s certainly been shared by many in the football community. After all, with Casillas potentially on his way out of the club to be replaced by De Gea, the club captaincy is likely to be up for grabs. Ramos, of the remaining players, would surely be the standout candidate.

It’s something Sport Witness thinks will be a critical part of any negotiations:

Ramos is simply a player Los Blancos simply can’t afford to lose. Not only is he one of the game’s standout defenders, but the Spain international is one of the few genuine leaders in the current group and a man who possesses an undeniable winning mentality.

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They’re the kind of talents new manager Rafael Benitez will be desperate to build his team around, and as Goal UK shows here, the statistics prove Ramos is a Blancos legend:

At this point, Real still hold all the aces in this transfer battle. The fact De Gea is keen on a move to Spain and has just one year left on his deal means United's valuation is unlikely to be met; with Casillas and Keylor Navas in situ, there’s no pressing requirement for the Liga juggernauts to go chasing the goalkeeper, either.

Ramos, as Ferdinand notes, seems to be angling for better terms at this point, but recent reports suggest that this unfavourable situation is in danger of turning into something a lot more serious. However, you suspect it’ll take an astronomical sum for Real to even consider selling the defensive stalwart in the coming weeks.