Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez has hinted that the club are no longer looking to sign Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and has backed Keylor Navas to be his first choice goalkeeper.
David de Gea was widely expected to swap Old Trafford for the Bernabeu this summer after the goalkeeper refused a reported A?200,000-per-week offer to stay at Manchester United.
It was also reported earlier by reliable papers like the Times, that Manchester United were all but resigned to losing their goalkeeper and believe that only a u-turn equivalent to what Wayne Rooney did to sign a contract in 2010 will prevent the Spain goalkeeper from joining Real Madrid.
Reports in the Telegraph said that Manchester United had taken a very hard stance in terms of negotiation, making it clear to Real Madrid that they are prepared to run down the contract of David De Gea, which has only one year to go, rather than selling them the goalkeeper this season should they not allow them to sign Sergio Ramos.
However, the deal seemed to have now hit a roadblock with the Spanish giants refusing to let their captain go.
Benitez to make Navas the number one, no longer needs De Gea
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Having hit a roadblock in the deal, Benitez has come out and said that he is prepared to make Keylor Navas their number one goalkeeper and the club does not need another goalkeeper.
Asked if Navas has the quality required to be a regular for Real Madrid, Benitez said: “I think so, yes, we wanted to give him the chance to play and prove himself and he has done well.”
Benitez gave a hint that Real Madrid no longer needed to sign De Gea as he did not see the need for another goalkeeper.
“I only need one goalkeeper on each match, and as long as I have one, I’m happy,” Benitez was quoted saying.
It does seem that the future of De Gea now lies at Old Trafford for another season, at least.