Real Madrid Transfer News: David De Gea Hits Dead End, New Sergio Ramos Rumours

Real Madrid are reportedly having “second thoughts” regarding their attempts to bring Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea to the club this summer, with manager Rafa Benitez reportedly impressed by the pre-season displays of the club’s current goalkeepers.

That’s according to Bleacher Report’s Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who claims that while those close to the player still think he’ll leave, negotiations have reached an impasse:

In a separate piece for AS, Balague provided the latest news on the summer’s most significant transfer saga:

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The excellent performances by Keylor and Casilla over the summer together with United’s 45M asking price has cooled the operation. …

United will not listen to any offers for the Spain international; De Gea will be involved in the battle to win the Premier League with [Manchester United manager Louis] van Gaal’s team.

Club directors have said, sotto voce, that if they were to sell De Gea as they did with Cristiano and Beckham, it would be a sign of weakness. Real Madrid have not sold any members of their squad this summer and without that revenue, they’re not willing to spend more than 25 million euros on De Gea—far short of the 45 million which the keeper is valued at.

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Jon Super/Associated Press

For Real, this may not necessarily be a bad thing. It remains to be seen which goalkeeper will start between the sticks for Los Blancos this season, but Keylor Navas and Kiko Casilla are both fine options who will be spurred on by the competition for places. In addition, their form means that Real can bide their time and sign De Gea for free on a pre-contract in January.

As we can see here, courtesy of Bleacher Report UK, there’s been another indication that the Spanish stopper will be staying at United for yet another season:

However, Van Gaal has cast more doubt over the player’s long-term future at the club, insisting he won’t start the Red Devils’ season opener against Tottenham Hotspur, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

It’s getting to the point where you suspect both parties would be happy for the ‘keeper to stay another year. Although neither Navas nor Casilla are as talented as De Gea, both men are capable of doing a handy job at the base of this Real Madrid team, at least on a short-term basis. Meanwhile, the Red Devils will have their Player of the Year in situ for an expected title tilt in 2015-16.

It seems De Gea will tread the path from Manchester to Madrid eventually, but another season in the Premier League will not halt his development. United know that with the European Championships around the corner the 24-year-old won’t kick up a fuss, and we will see the Spaniard at his best again this season.

No New Contract for Sergio Ramos Yet

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Sergio Ramos will reportedly reject Real Madrid’s annual salary offer of €8.5 million, as the defender looks for a figure topping the €10 million mark.

The Spanish international has been linked with a move throughout the summer months, but reports about a potential transfer have slowed down in recent weeks. According to radio station Cadena SER (h/t AS) a contract extension for the Real legend is “not even close.”

The current situation surrounding Ramos is outlined in the piece:

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Ramos, according to Cadena SER can’t understand why the club haven’t been in touch with his representative in order to fix a date to put an end to the matter. And the market for central defenders is interesting to say the least, with City trying to buy Godin, Otamendi’s situation... and Ramos with extension to a contract that ends in June 2016.

The one thing that seems certain is that the Ramos saga has a fair few more twists and turns to come this summer.

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As noted by Sid Lowe of the Guardian, Ramos expressed a desire to leave Real Madrid for Manchester United this summer, but the Spanish giants responded by insisting he would not be sold at any price.

GERARD JULIEN/Getty Images

It’s easy to see why the club are reluctant to entertain any offers. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Johnson took a look at what other business Los Blancos might do in the remainder of the transfer window:

Despite the flurry of reports linking Ramos with a move away from Real Madrid, there was always a sense that he’d end up sticking around at the Santiago Bernabeu. And although these latest reports may be a little concerning for some, there’s little to suggest a dramatic shift in the player’s status is imminent.

Real would find it extremely difficult to replace a centre-back who plays with such a rare blend of aggression and intelligence. As such, there is no way the club will entertain a sale this window. But the longer his contract wrangle runs on, the more concerning things will get for Madridistas.