Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest David De Gea and Gareth Bale Rumours

Real Madrid seem to be getting closer to the capture of David De Gea from Manchester United, with reports emerging that claim a €40 million (£29 million) transfer is near completion. But other stories still suggest the Red Devils want Gareth Bale to be part of any transfer.

Miguel Delaney of the Independent cited “sources in Spain” that suggest Los Blancos are set to finally get their man after stumping up the aforementioned sum. It’s noted that De Gea agreed to personal terms with Real “some time ago” and the Liga giants are hoping to complete the move before the transfer deadline.

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

Delaney also wrote the Red Devils have made a “last-ditch” attempt to include Bale as part of any deal, which was also reported by the Sunday Express (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Sunday Mirror). However, both reports say Los Blancos are unwilling to let the Welshman go anywhere.

Taking the case of De Gea first, there are plenty of United supporters who would be happy to see this saga come to an overdue end, and Madridistas would be delighted to get a world-class goalkeeper on their books. Here’s a look at how the Spaniard compared with current Madrid No. 1 Keylor Navas last season, per WhoScored.com (h/t RMadridHome):

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WHOSCORED | David De Gea vs. Keylor Navas. #RMCF #MUFC pic.twitter.com/8ZEel7o9NI

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) August 21, 2015"

While Navas has been extremely impressive in his outings so far this season, De Gea is a cut above the Costa Rican.

Although he’s been left out of the United team by manager Louis van Gaal so far this season, the 24-year-old is one of the very best goalkeepers around and a player who is capable of filling the immense void left by the departure of Iker Casillas. But the Red Devils’ resolve has frustrated Madrid in their apparent pursuit so far this summer.

CESAR MANSO/Getty Images

It’s a stubbornness that could cause a few problems, especially if United are insistent on Bale being involved in any deal. However, as noted by James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, although the interest in the Welshman is longstanding, it’s not really a move he fancies:

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United have pursued Bale for the best part of a year. His determination to stay at Real is a major obstacle #mufc

— James Robson (@JamesRobsonMEN) August 26, 2015"

You suspect Real won’t be willing to sell, either, especially after the start to the season Bale has had. He bagged an excellent brace in Los Blancos’ 5-0 win over Real Betis on Saturday and seems to be relishing the added responsibility handed to him by new manager Rafa Benitez this term.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

Bale hasn’t been the most popular figure at the Santiago Bernabeu in the past, especially after some underwhelming displays last season. But the Madrid supporters are notoriously fickle, and provided he continues to play with the kind of vibrancy showcased so far, they’ll soon be bewitched by his talents once again.

As noted by football writer Mike Goodman, reports of the Welshman’s demise at the Santiago Bernabeu have been greatly exaggerated:

At this juncture, it looks as though Real will end the window with a new top-quality goalkeeper and still have Bale in situ.

United have been firm in their valuation of De Gea all summer and, according to Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror, will not budge despite the end of the transfer window getting tantalisingly close. However, they’ll be keen on landing a long-term replacement for their Player of the Year, and if he were to walk away on a free transfer next summer, it’d be a much more costly process.

Bale is clearly a vital part of Benitez’s plans, and despite United’s admiring glances, he’ll be going nowhere anytime soon. Indeed, the prospect of De Gea between the sticks and the Welshman back to his best is an ominous one for the rest of Europe, as Real seek to bounce back from an underwhelming 2014-15 season.