Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on David De Gea and Jese Rodriguez Rumours

Speculation is afoot at Real Madrid, as the latest reports claim Los Blancos will return for David De Gea next summer while Jese Rodriguez's time at the club could finally be drawing to a close as Liverpool prepare a move.

Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea came close to joining Rafa Benitez's side in the summer, and Real are prepared to spend £40 million to obtain his services in 2016. The Daily Star's Jack Wilson quoted a source, who said: "Real Madrid will not attempt to sign David De Gea in the January window. But the club is proposed to sign him in the summer for next season."

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Less than two weeks after the move to the Bernabeu fell apart, De Gea signed a four-year contract extension at Old Trafford with an option for a fifth year.

However, the Red Devils have since endured a slump under manager Louis van Gaal and are sixth in the Premier League following a run of seven games without a victory in all competitions. Football writer Liam Canning pondered why the stopper wouldn't be tempted by a move back to his native Spain:

It hasn't quite been a vintage campaign for Real, either. However, the club are third in La Liga and reached the last 16 of the Champions League in convincing fashion, evidence their version of bad isn't too severe.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher understands why Real are so interested in the 25-year-old too, rating him as one of the best stoppers in world football, according to Squawka:

The Red Devils will be desperate to hold onto last season's Players' Player of the Year, but the temptation presented by Real Madrid is liable to increase the more United's woes worsen.

According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, Jese could be looking at the Bernabeu exit after failing to figure prominently in the plans of manager Rafa Benitez, whose old club Liverpool are interested (h/t Mirror's Liam Corless).

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

The 22-year-old has made just seven starts across all competition this season, and with only four of those coming in La Liga, the winger's first-team prospects in Spain's capital look dim.

Jese was unable to make it into Benitez's 23-man squad for last Sunday's 10-2 defeat of struggling Rayo Vallecano, urging Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC to contemplate his value at Real:

One might suppose Liverpool would have as good a shot as any club in convincing Benitez to part ways with his winger given their relationship with the former Reds boss.

Earlier this season, Jese's agent, Gines Carvajal, encouraged speculation his client was heading for the Real Madrid exit door after telling Spanish daily Marca his player needs more minutes (h/t talkSPORT): "He needs to play more, that's the best way to keep his spirits up. The club will have to make a decision. He's training well, he's strong and has to seize the opportunity when it comes."

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Were it not for the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Isco, Jese may have received more chances at Real, but his development has been stunted as a result of their competition.

That being said, the Spaniard could still be a useful asset if given his chance to shine, having merely fallen victim to the intense rivalry for an attacking place in Benitez's lineup.

Liverpool are yet to sign a direct replacement for Raheem Sterling out wide following the Englishman's summer move to Manchester City, and Lazar Markovic joined Turkish giants Fenerbahce on loan.