Iker Casillas could see out his Real Madrid days on the bench

The future of long-serving Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is clouded and the Spain international could see out the rest of his days at the Bernabeu on the bench, according to Guillem Balague.

The 33-year-old has fallen under heavy criticism from the club’s supporters and Real are hunting for a new first-choice 'keeper this summer, having been heavily linked with Manchester United’s David de Gea.

Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Balague says Real have not yet attempted to sell Casillas, who has been a Real player since boyhood, but he could finish his career as a back-up.

Balague said: "It is not that Real Madrid are trying to push Casillas away, it is the fans that have had enough of him, and he himself suggested this at the weekend.

"He has two years left on his contract and he wants all of it paid by Real Madrid, but they don’t want to do that.

"So he could end up staying at the club, but on the bench, because for sure Real want to sign a new 'keeper this summer."

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Casillas has made over 500 appearances for Real Madrid since his debut in 2000 and is their long-serving first-choice.

But he was controversially dropped for a significant period by Jose Mourinho during the 2012-13 season before being reinstated by his successor Carlo Ancelotti.

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