Real Madrid Transfer News: Fresh Targets, Rumours Linked to Los Blancos

A new batch of rumours hit the Real Madrid rumour mill this weekend as the prospective pursuits of Real Betis midfielder Dani Ceballos and Manchester United No. 1 David De Gea intensified.

According to Spanish radio station Cadena COPE (h/t Miguel Moran of Marca), Los Blancos will trigger Ceballos' €12 million (£8.7 million) release clause before loaning the playmaker back to Betis this season:

Moran insists Real president Florentino Perez "is eager to land Ceballos sooner rather than later" and will seek to tie up the deal before his side host El Glorioso on August 29.

Bleacher Report's Nick Dorrington hints the deal is as good as done and predicts Ceballos will meet another Real Madrid investment, Marco Asensio, when Betis face Espanyol on October 18:

The central midfielder would appear to fit in with Real's recent spike in young signings, with Moran also pointing out the acquisitions of Martin Odegaard and Jesus Vallejo to bolster their starlet ranks.

That being said, a loan spell away from the Bernabeu would be the best option for Ceballos at this stage, especially with the recent arrival of Mateo Kovacic adding further competition in Rafa Benitez's squad.

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Ceballos is a prominent member of Spain's under-19 side and has already made two appearances for the Under-21s, showing how highly he sits as one of the most promising assets in La Liga.

The 19-year-old faces a career-defining decision in the weeks to come, with Betis powerless to let their youngster leave for pastures new if Real choose to activate his affordable release clause.

Louis van Gaal Issues "Hands-Off De Gea" Warning

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is remaining firm on his stance over the availability of first-choice goalkeeper David De Gea after protesting the player is not for sale.

James Phillips of the Daily Star reported the Red Devils would be open to a deal if Keylor Navas were to come in the other direction, but Van Gaal says the Spaniard isn't going anywhere, per FourFourTwo:

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When we buy it has to be a contribution to our solution and not against any price. I think when Manchester United wants a player he shall come, apart from when the club are not selling. Then it is the same as it us for us, like we are not selling De Gea.

We have 28 players and I have said we have a better balanced selection, but we want to improve, we want to improve at our way and not at the way that [other] people want. You can see my selection and in every position we have two players, we don't have to change, but when we can improve we shall do that, but in our way.

"

According to Phillips, De Gea would cost "at least £29 million" in a straight-cash deal, but he would be willing to let the player go for £21.8 million if Navas were to come in the opposite direction.

The Costa Rica international rode as deputy to Iker Casillas—now at Porto—last season, but WhoScored.com compare his statistics against those of De Gea from his last campaign as a first-choice stopper at Levante:

As the figures show, Navas stands as a credible talent in his own right, and after impressing a global audience with some stellar performances at the 2014 World Cup, his reputation has soared over the past year.

De Gea is yet to make an appearance for United this season after seeing summer-signing Sergio Romero pushed into the starting XI while the uncertainty surrounding De Gea's situation is resolved.

Romero started again for the Red Devils on Saturday as they drew 0-0 at home to Newcastle United, having yet to concede a goal in their 2015-16 Premier League campaign after three outings.

Broadcaster Ian McGarry believes De Gea is on his way to Real, however, perhaps under the influence that monetary terms are the only obstacle standing in the way of a deal at present:

Securing Navas' signature in return could be an amicable agreement as far as Manchester United are concerned, but debate will rage on as to whether he's an equal talent to De Gea.

With just over a week of the transfer window remaining, this particular saga looks set to last until the deadline, with United facing a dilemma on whether to cash in on a player who could walk for free next summer.