But for a dodgy fax machine, David De Gea might well have been plying his trade at the Bernabeu for the last 15 months.
His impressive form for Manchester United back in 2014/15 had alerted Real Madrid, and after a relentless summer-long stream of Marca speculation it appeared the Spanish club had finally got their man on the final day of the summer 2015 transfer window: United had reluctantly agreed a deal with Real and personal terms had been thrashed out with De Gea, but an eleventh hour snag meant the goalkeeper stayed put in Manchester.
Weeks later, De Gea penned an improved contract at Old Trafford which – for the most part – has silenced talk of a move to Real. That said, when have Real Madrid ever taken no for an answer when in pursuit of a player?
Once again, Madrid-based Marca are stirring up De Gea-to-Real rumours by giving details of a clause in the United goalkeeper’s current deal. According to them, the 26-year-old can leave United if an offer of €60million (£51m in real money) is tabled.
Of course, it’s not the first time in recent months that talk of a clause in De Gea’s contract has surfaced. In summer it was reported that there was a €50m buyout clause in his deal and that Real would have to finalise a deal for the former Atletico Madrid stopper by June 15. Needless to say, nothing ever came of this.
Although Jose Mourinho will be in no rush to get rid of him, the signs are that we could be set for another tedious De Gea to Real Madrid saga by the time summer rolls around.
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