Real Madrid Transfer News: Biggest Names Linked to Bernabeu, Latest Rumours

Real Madrid look more and more likely to be frustrated in their attempts to bring David De Gea to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, with reports suggesting Manchester United simply will not budge on their transfer terms.

According to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror, the Red Devils are resigned to losing their star goalkeeper to Los Blancos eventually but won’t sell him this summer unless Sergio Ramos is part of any deal.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Speaking ahead of Real’s first pre-season game, new Blancos boss Rafael Benitez insisted that the defender was going nowhere, per Sky Sports:

"

For me, he is an enormous professional. In person, he applies himself, he does everything that the team and I ask of him.

And for me, the matter [is that] the president has already commented that he is staying with the club.

I have spoken to him at length in the summer about his ideas, about his future. I see Sergio as an integral part of our team, he's a winner and that's what we need in our team.

"

Ladyrene Perez/Associated Press

It seems as though an impasse has been reached between the two parties, and as the days tick by, the prospect of De Gea becoming a Real Madrid player for the 2015-16 season seems to be increasingly unlikely. Indeed, the Primera Division giants have already signed a replacement for departed goalkeeper Iker Casillas in Kiko Casilla.

As we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, the former Espanyol man has proved himself to be very capable between the sticks in La Liga:

Replacing Casillas is a big ask, though. The former captain was a deific figure at the Santiago Bernabeu, and although his performance levels dropped a little last season, he’s still a fine goalkeeper and an inspirational leader.

ANDRES KUDACKI/Associated Press

In an ideal world, De Gea would have been the man to come in and ease the transition from the era of Iker. However, as noted by James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal is taking a stiff approach for the benefit of his own squad:

Ultimately, from a business perspective, waiting a season and landing De Gea on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer make a lot of sense. After all, the Spanish giants would be picking up one of the top goalkeepers in world football, a man capable of filling the No. 1 jersey for many years to come, for nothing.

Jon Super/Associated Press

But there are few clubs that take an ephemeral approach to their football quite like Real Madrid, and there’ll be a sense of unease gripping the club after Casillas’ departure. As such, it’d be a major surprise if they were to give up on the Spain international so early in the window.

Arsenal Interest In Karim Benzema Discussed

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out making an approach for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema but insisted a transfer is not in the pipeline at the moment.

“I don't know where this comes from but it's not happening at the moment, no,” said Wenger when asked about the Frenchman recently, per Matt Barlow of the MailOnline. However, the Gunners chief did claim that he would be willing to strengthen his squad should an “exceptional player” become available.

Jon Super/Associated Press

These quotes emerged after Mark Irwin of the Sun reported that Real were willing to listen to offers for the former Lyon striker and Arsenal were weighing up a £40 million offer. Bundesliga pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft thinks there could be something to it:

But from the perspective of Madridistas, selling Benzema would be a peculiar decision. Not only is he the only orthodox No. 9 in the squad at this juncture, the Frenchman plays an understatedly excellent role at the point of Real’s stellar attack.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

As noted by Spanish football follower Sergi Dominguez, the striker is rather unappreciated in comparison to Madrid’s other star talents:

Arsenal are in need of a striker, and should Benzema make the move to the Emirates Stadium, he’d be the main man in advanced areas. After a prolonged spell in the Spanish capital, during which the forward has won myriad honours, perhaps a change of scenery would be alluring for the Frenchman.

But it seems unlikely, despite aforementioned reports, that Real would be willing to sell a player who is a valued part of the team. Benitez is a manager renowned for his pragmatism, and Benzema’s work rate, diligence and all-round game make him the perfect player to lead the line for Los Blancos under the Spaniard’s tutelage.