De Gea deal in a rut

The Real goal seems to be jinxed. Together with Casillas's exit, there is now Manchester United's stubbornness over De Gea, as the English outfit seem to have dug their heels in up to their knees.

The signing of the United keeper may have looked like a done deal ten days ago, but today the suits at the Bernabeu are shaking their heads, beginning to face the distinct possibility that De Gea may not be coming.

United are set on the idea of a two-for-one arrangement, swapping De Gea for Sergio Ramos and Keylor Navas, something that MARCA revealed last Saturday.

At Real Madrid, with the poorly-managed exit of Casillas still the talk of the town, nobody wants to even contemplate the idea of Sergio Ramos leaving, unless of course it was for an irresistible offer – something in the region of €90 million, which is what United paid for Di Maria last year.

For his part, De Gea is prepared to hang on another year at Old Trafford without renewing his contract, to then leave the club on a free next summer. The keeper knows that he will lose a lot of money next season if he refuses to renew, but also knows that 'Los Blancos' could give him some compensation with a succulent signing fee, as they would not have to pay United a single penny.