Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on David De Gea, Matteo Darmian
Real Madrid reportedly still want to sign Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea and are trying to force current No. 1 Keylor Navas out of the club to help make it happen.
A report from Spanish source Diario Gol (h/t Luke Gardener of the Daily Star) detailed how Navas' departure is seen as key to any deal for United's first-choice 'keeper: "De Gea is keen on a switch to Real but will only move if Keylor Navas leaves the club. And Spanish outlet Diario Gol say officials at the La Liga champions have threatened the Costa Rica international to try and hurry through the deal."
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The report from Spain also indicate Navas was at the root of Real's failure to sign De Gea in 2015 (h/t Gardener): "Real came close to signing De Gea in the summer of 2015 but for a problem with a fax machine. The reports claim Navas and his agent were responsible for the fact the deal to sign the United goalkeeper fell through."
It appears as though Real will refuse to give up on their attempts to eventually bring Spain international De Gea back to Madrid. De Gea developed well at neighbours Atletico Madrid before moving in 2011 to United, where he has since matured into arguably the best goalkeeper in the game.
De Gea's improvement is why United have resisted Los Blancos' overtures in recent years. The Red Devils indicated late in May they don't intend to sell De Gea this summer.
United manager Jose Mourinho has said De Gea will be involved in the team's pre-season schedule, per Richard Tanner of the Daily Express: "He will be with us when we play our first pre-season game in Los Angeles on July 15. He is the best goalkeeper in the world, and we want to keep the best."
Mourinho is right to laud De Gea's quality. He is also right to shun the idea of selling the gifted stopper to his former club.
Although Sergio Romero proved a capable deputy last season, particularly in helping United win the UEFA Europa League, the Old Trafford club still needs De Gea to help the club credibly challenge for the Premier League title.
Juventus Keen on Full-Back
Another United player wanted by one of Europe's top clubs is full-back Matteo Darmian. The Italy international defender is a target for Serie A giants Juventus.
Goal's Kris Voakes has reported Darmian is Juve's "preferred replacement for Dani Alves as the Brazilian gets set to leave the Serie A champions." Voakes also revealed why United may opt to sell former Torino star Darmian, despite some positive performances late last season: "Darmian could well be allowed to leave this summer as the Portuguese manager looks to bolster his squad for a serious Premier League title challenge."
However, a contrasting view is offered by Calciomercato (h/t Charlotte Duncker of the Manchester Evening News): "Italian outlet Calciomercato claim Darmian is Juventus' No. 1 target as they look for an Alves replacement. But, there's one big problem for the Serie A giants: Mourinho doesn't want to sell."
It's understandable Mourinho would want to keep Darmian, even though he gave the Italian a mere 15 starts in the Premier League last season, per WhoScored.com. Yet the 27-year-old is highly versatile, able to play either full-back spot and even as an auxiliary central defender if needed.
At his best, Darmian offers raiding runs and underrated delivery from the flanks. His energy and work rate out wide are important in a United team lacking natural wingers and therefore reliant on full-backs for width.
As much as anything else, Mourinho should be aiming to maintain the strength in depth of United's squad ahead of a return to the UEFA Champions League next season.
It will demand keeping useful squad players such as Darmian around while also making sure De Gea is still between the sticks next season.
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