Saturday 12 September 2015 09:46, UK
Real Madrid are still interested in goalkeeper David de Gea, despite him signing a new contract at Manchester United, according to Guillem Balague.
Just ten days after his move to Real Madrid fell through, the 24-year-old Spain international completed a remarkable turnaround by agreeing a new deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2019.
But what exactly caused De Gea to change his mind and commit his future to United? Have Real now dropped their interest in their primary transfer target, or will they try and sign him in the future?
During his weekly Q&A session, Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Balague addressed the key talking points behind one of the biggest stories of the summer transfer window.
What has caused De Gea to make such a dramatic turnaround?
GUILLEM SAYS: He wants the waters to be calm again. To focus on his game. Having received the good news from Van Gaal that he considers him essential, he wants to play above anything else. Having a year left on his contract, wouldn't give him the necessary calmness.
Plus, he is genuinely indebted to Manchester United for how they looked after him all these years. So if he ever goes, I am sure he would like United to benefit.
Has De Gea signed the new deal at United to spite Madrid?
GUILLEM SAYS: The deal has not been signed to upset anybody, it has not been done as an emotional reaction. It is just pure logic. If you have a year left on your contract, even if you may want to go somewhere else, when a club offers you a four-year deal why wouldn't you sign it? If Real Madrid were to abandon the idea of signing him - which I don't think they have - the player has to think about himself.
Imagine if Kika Casilla or Keylor Navas became the best goalkeeper in the world and Real change their mind. Where would that leave him? This was all planned. Everything was understood as strategy. Even Louis van Gaal's decision not to play him was planned. He was trying to protect him and he was clever in doing so.
Is there a verbal agreement in place which would see De Gea join Madrid next summer?
GUILLEM SAYS: I don't believe in verbal agreements. What Jorge Mendes tends to do, not with this contract but with similar ones, is to do a parallel agreement which acts as a buy-out clause. If there is anything in place to take De Gea to Real, it would be a parallel contract.
I believe they are still interested in De Gea. I am convinced Real Madrid have not abandoned the idea of signing him. I don't believe Real Madrid, who last week thought they had a goalkeeper for the next 10 years, can switch to suddenly not wanting De Gea anymore. They still want him.
That is how Mendes usually operates. If there is a parallel contract, where De Gea could leave for 50m euros, then all parties would be happy. I don't believe that Real Madrid, who last week thought they had a goalkeeper for the next 10 years, can switch to suddenly not wanting De Gea anymore. They still want him.
Are Real Madrid still interested in De Gea?
GUILLEM SAYS: I believe they are still interested in De Gea. I am convinced Real Madrid have not abandoned the idea of signing him. I recall Cristiano Ronaldo's move. He had a longer contract than De Gea had, yet it was all agreed in the December of that year - seven months before he signed for Real Madrid, it was signed.
The logical step will be for something similar to take place again, at a price that pleases all parties. Having said that, the fans should enjoy De Gea. A year is a long time and I have been told he has "renewed enthusiasm" from what has happened.
