Soccer Transfer: Manchester United, Real Madrid Fail to Strike Deal for David de Gea Before Deadline
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was set to complete his transfer to Real Madrid, but the deal was reportedly stalled after the paperwork did not arrive on time at the Spanish league office before the transfer deadline, according to a report from ESPN. The agreed transfer fee for the Spanish stop stopper was said to be about €39.6 million.
The deal could still go through the winter transfer window but to a reduced fee because de Gea's contract is set to expire at the end of the current season. Madrid can also wait until the end of the season to sign de Gea to a contract for a free transfer.
In a report from BBC News, Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas is part of the deal going to United. Navas could still go to England because the transfer deadline for English clubs has one more day. In the same report, the Spanish media claims that United were responsible for the deal collapsing and submitted the proper paperwork to the Spanish Football Federation office a minute late.
United responded by saying that they have a receipt that proves the submission of the relevant documents was in time. No additional details were released and whether or not Madrid will appeal to FIFA, who are the sanctioning body for international transfers.
The 24-year-old Madrid native joined the English club from Atletico Madrid in 2011. United boss Louis van Gaal left de Gea from the squad in the first six matches of the season because of his impending departure.
De Gea has made 175 appearances for United, won United Player of the Year in the past two years and was part of the Premier League Team of the Year in 2012 and 2014, according to WhoScored. He only has five caps for the Spanish National Team due to Spanish veterans Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina.
While Costa Rica international Navas joined Madrid from Levante last season for €10 million after a great show in the 2014 World Cup, he only made 13 appearances due to the resurgence of Casillas.
United made a few other roster moves including selling striker Javier Hernandez to Bayer Leverkusen, giving goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard for free to West Bromwich Albion and loaning out Adnan Januzaj and Tyler Blackett to Borussia Dortmund and Celtic FC, respectively as reported by BBC News.
According to The Mirror, United have signed 19-year-old AS Monaco striker Anthony Martial for a surprising fee of €50 million. Monaco was reluctant to sell their prized striker but changed their mind after being eliminated in the Champions League.
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