The tug of war between Real Madrid and Manchester United regarding Spanish custodian David De Gea has been the most palatable transfer story in recent years when a broken fax machine hindered final paperwork on transfer deadline day which enlivened the Red Devils fans as they incredibly managed to keep hold of their best resource a couple of years back. However, the Spanish heavyweights have reiterated their interest in De Gea since then, but the deal never took place till date.
If reports are believed to be true, Jose Mourinho, the Manchester United boss, is open to do business with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez and will let David De Gea leave only if 24-year Real Madrid centre back Raphael Varane is included in an exchange deal.
The reigning La Liga and Champions League winners were plotting a massive £60 mil swoop to renew their interest in the 26-year old goalkeeper, but any tempting offer will be rejected by the Portuguese tactician unless his demands are met.
But does this bizarre move at all make sense for both the parties? Real Madrid wanted to include Costa Rican custodian Keylor Navas in part-exchange for David De Gea back on 31st August 2015, the deal fell through though and the 30-year old goalkeeper grabbed his opportunity of replacing Spanish legend Iker Casillas between the sticks.
With Kiko Casilla as Navas’ deputy, Real’s goalkeeping situation is stable now and David De Gea will be a luxurious signing at expense of Raphael Varane whom they desperately need alongside Sergio Ramos for the forthcoming season, particularly after Pepe’s egress.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have strengthened their back-line with new £30.7 mil signing of Swedish centre back Victor Lindelof following his impressive spell with Portuguese champions Benfica. Also, last season’s recruit Eric Bailly had a decent initiation of his Premier League career and these two are expected to partner each other in Manchester United’s central defence for years to come.
The likes of Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind have impressed Mourinho last season and will play a key role in their back-line. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, two of United’s English veterans, had a frustrating campaign due to inconsistency and injury concerns and will have an uphill task to re-register themselves for first team football. With such defensive depth, a move for Raphael Varane is an opulence for the time being.
Mourinho, however, is an admirer of Varane’s enormous talent and brought him from French outfit Lille back in the summer of 2011 during his Bernabeu days. Despite being a rookie, the Portuguese veteran handed him first team opportunities in a star-studded Real Madrid lineup and the teenager impressed everyone with his majestic displays.
But the Frenchman is now a key figure of Zinedine Zidane’s successful side and holds a bright long-term future ahead in Real Madrid’s back-line. This part-exchange deal, thus, is not expected to take place this summer and both parties should be content with what they already have and must concentrate on strengthening other positions.
