Real Madrid Transfer News: Star Names Targeted, Latest Los Blancos Rumours
Real Madrid appear to be losing their tug of war with Manchester United over David De Gea, with the goalkeeper reportedly to stay at Old Trafford for the interim.
Jack Wilson of the Daily Star said there is a "growing feeling" the world-class player will stay with United for now, with Los Blancos coach Rafael Benitez publicly reaffirming his faith in current stopper Keylor Navas.
Benitez praised the Costa Rica international during Madrid's pre-season tour—and when asked if Navas could become his regular No. 1—he said, per Michael Huguenin of Goal.com: "I think so, yes, we wanted to give him the chance to play and prove himself and he has done well. I only need one goalkeeper on each match, and as long as I have one, I'm happy."
De Gea is currently on a pre-season tour of the USA with United, with Louis van Gaal hinting the Spain international will still belong to him on the first day of the new Premier League season.
When asked if De Gea would be ready for United's opening game against Tottenham Hotspur, LvG said, per Wilson: "When a player is injured, it is the same thing what happens in the season. Then you have to wait and you have seen it because in England it is more usual players are coming in after injuries, but I give them time to recover and build up their fitness."
Van Gaal's words do not seem to be about a player he is planning to sell, and the fire burning at the heart of De Gea's switch to the Bernabeu appears to be dying.
However, Ben Jefferson of the Express claimed the goalkeeper has wanted to leave Old Trafford since Van Gaal took over as manager, suggesting De Gea may yet force through a transfer.
Jefferson wrote, according to Spanish publication ABC, De Gea and LvG's relationship soured early last term, with the goalkeeper instructing his agent Jorge Mendes to find him a new club. ABC also claim Van Gaal was interested in bringing Navas to Old Trafford—before Madrid's expressed interest in De Gea—but the manager opted to keep faith with his No. 1 after a series of dazzling displays.
But it seems one man may hold the fate of De Gea's move in his hands—Sergio Ramos.
The Madrid club captain is said to still want a move away to United, and it appears Florentino Perez may now be prepared to do business with the Premier League giants.
Spanish journalist Pablo Garcia Cuervo says Perez has changed his mind and is rumoured to now be ready to sell his marquee talent, per Radio Marca (h/t Will Giles of Metro):
"Sergio has made his mind up. Florentino also wants Sergio to leave, but Real Madrid want it to seem like Sergio is the one who wants to leave because he isn’t very ‘madridista’. If Florentino Perez wanted to keep Casillas, he hid it very well. The same is happening with Ramos."
Ramos also failed to collect the International Champions Cup trophy on Friday—as Real Madrid defeated Manchester City 4-1 in Australia—despite the Spaniard captaining the side on the day. It was a strange occurrence, and only fuels the rumours surrounding Ramos' potential move to United, with the player remaining in the dressing room as Cristiano Ronaldo was left to do the honours.
Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe gave his opinion as to whether Perez will let Ramos leave the Spanish capital, saying Los Blancos are highly unlikely to allow the player to join a huge European rival while weakening their own squad:
Ramos and De Gea's futures are certainly intertwined—and if United can negotiate a price for the defender, it is likely De Gea will get his wish to return to his hometown.
It seems only a matter of time before the goalkeeper becomes Perez's latest big-name signing, but the loss of Ramos would be a crushing blow to Madrid, despite the defender being at the back end of his career.
Ramos provided four goals in his 27 La Liga performances last term, per WhoScored.com. His presence at both ends of the pitch is vital to the Los Blancos model.
Benitez would have to find a world-class defender to sign, if Ramos sees his desire to join United come to fruition, and with the season getting closer every day—Madrid would be forced to act fast to strengthen their back line.
Marca's Carlos Carpio has claimed Benitez wants Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez in order to replace the inconsistent Fabio Coentrao, but he wouldn't cover for the loss of Ramos.
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