Manchester United Transfer News: David De Gea, Cristiano Ronaldo Double Blow

Javier Tebas, the president of Spanish football’s governing body, the Liga de Futbol Profesional (LFP), has admitted it is his “dream” to see Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea play in La Liga and he can’t foresee reported Red Devils target Cristiano Ronaldo moving anywhere next summer.

Speaking with AS (h/t ESPN FC), the LFP chief insisted De Gea would be a tremendous addition to the division. “[David] de Gea is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and I wish he played in our league, regardless of who for,” he said.

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United and Real came very close to agreeing a deal for the Spanish international stopper in the late stages of the summer transfer window. Eventually, a delay with paperwork saw the move collapse, with De Gea staying at Old Trafford and Keylor Navas, who was poised to join United, remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Despite not featuring in the early weeks of the season while the saga rumbled on, De Gea has returned to his customary spot between the sticks for the Red Devils and excelled. As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, he’s been part of a rock-solid defence for Louis van Gaal’s side:

While Tebas will have no sway when it comes to who Los Blancos target in the transfer window, his opinion is indicative of many in Spain, especially the capital, where they are hopeful of seeing De Gea head back to his homeland. Navas has done well for Real, but the United man has the Galactico star quality the Madridistas crave.

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It’s an attribute that is almost embodied by Ronaldo, who has bewitched the Bernabeu during his six years as a Real Madrid player. There have been some murmurings it’s a spell that could come to an end next summer, though, with Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC writing the Spanish giants are considering cashing in; United have shown interest in re-signing him, it's claimed.

Still, Tebas does not think any potential move away from La Liga will surface for Ronaldo or the division’s other prized asset, Barcelona star Lionel Messi. “That Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi leave is like the independence of Catalunya, impossible,” the LFP president told AS (h/t Sport).

As reported by ESPN FC, speaking to the Jonathan Ross Show last week, Ronaldo did hint at a possible move back to Old Trafford, insisting he is a “huge supporter” of United.

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Former Red Devils star Gary Neville revealed to the Sunday People he did have some minor concerns about a potential move (h/t Simeon Gholam of the MailOnline), but he’d still love to see his former team-mate back in a red shirt:

United will not want to cash in on De Gea and have protected their investment well, getting the goalkeeper to sign an extended contract this season. It means Real will have to stump up a sizeable fee if they’re to lure the Spaniard away from the club, which would assist the Red Devils massively when it comes to isolating and purchasing a possible replacement.

Ronaldo still remains a fanciful prospect for United. While he may not be quite the same force he once was, Real Madrid will have to think very carefully before moving him on, as the Portuguese is still the main source of goals for this team. The money United would have to spend to bring him back could also be better utilised in other areas of the the club.