Manchester United goalkeeper's move to Real Madrid collapses after 'Red Devils fail to submit requisite paperwork before the Spanish deadline of 11pm'
David de Gea
Madrid: Real Madrid have defended their conduct over the failed bid to sign David de Gea and accused Manchester United of holding up the deal. United and Madrid had agreed a deal worth £29million for the sale of De Gea to the Bernabeu, with Keylor Navas heading in the other direction.
David de Gea
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Blame game begins
But that deal fell through after the requisite paperwork was not submitted before the Spanish deadline of 11pm on Monday. United claimed Madrid were the ones to blame for the collapse of the deal, but the Spanish giants issued a statement yesterday condemning the actions of the Old Trafford club.
"Real Madrid has done everything necessary, and at all times, to implement these two transfers," said Madrid in a lengthy 10-point statement published on their website on yesterday afternoon (see infographic on left).
Madrid claim in the statement that United did not open negotiations with them until Monday morning. However in reality, the 10-time European champs knew all summer what the asking price was for De Gea, and they did not meet it.
United first demanded Sergio Ramos in exchange for De Gea, but when the defender renewed his contract with the club, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward set a new price of £32.6million for the goalkeeper. Madrid made a tentative enquiry about De Gea earlier in the summer, but no real offer was made until Monday morning.
The reputation of Madrid president Florentino Perez has taken a blow following his failure to land the club's top transfer target. After being told he was to be sold, Navas will now be the club's number one for the rest of the campaign.
It would come as a huge surprise if Madrid did not sign De Gea on a free transfer next summer. They are free to open negotiations with the 24-year-old from January 1. United, meanwhile, are said to be "relaxed" about the situation.
Spanish dailies slam imbroglio
Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid were lampooned by the Spanish media for their failure to sign David De Gea from Manchester United before the close of the transfer window. Marca's backpage headline called the situation 'ridiculous'.
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