Reports in Spain suggest Real Madrid are now seriously considering the sale of Sergio Ramos to Manchester United in order to secure the services of David de Gea.
United have been adamant for weeks that they would only sell the Spanish goalkeeper to Real if Ramos was to go in the other direction. No Ramos, no deal.
For their part, Real were unprepared to allow their 29-year-old captain to leave, despite the fact that he had made his desire to join United clear.
However El PaÃs, a reputable Spanish broadsheet not known for partaking in idle tittle-tattle, are reporting that Real are now open to the possibility of an exchange.
The publication reports that a meeting took place at the Bernabeu, where it was decided that neither Keylor Navas nor Kiko Casilla was able to cover the number one position.
As such, De Gea has now become such an urgent priority that Ramos, who has damaged relations with the club’s hierarchy with his desire to leave, may be sacrificed.
Finally, there seems to be movement on one of the most high-profile sagas of the summer. Two of the greatest clubs in the world may be ready to swap their world-class stars.