5 Potential de Gea / Madrid Makeweights 31 May 2017 22:21

As the summer transfer window rumour mill goes into overdrive, David de Gea once again finds himself at the centre of speculation that he will be playing for Real Madrid next season. Here are five players Manchester United could use as a possible bargaining tool in any potential transfer.

By Frank Mead, Editor

The speculation that David de Gea will be Real Madrid’s new goalkeeper will probably never go away, until the day that he finally signs on the dotted line at the Bernabéu. Most United fans aren’t blind, they realise that it will more than likely happen one day. De Gea didn’t grow up a United fan, despite citing Peter Schmeichel as a big influence growing up. The fact is that Madrid usually get whoever they want, once they set their sights on a player.

The good news for United fans is that recent reports have emerged that de Gea is more than happy at Old Trafford, and the club are preparing a new improved contract for him. Much like two years ago, there has been no official word from the goalkeeper, so it is hard to accurately judge his feelings on the matter.

There seems to be little doubt that should de Gea swap Manchester for Madrid, he is likely to break the world record fee for a goalkeeper. United, however, could ensure that Madrid don’t have to loosen the purse strings quite so much. As European champions, due to defend their crown in Cardiff this weekend, they have a squad packed with international players. Some of these players are already expected to be on their way this summer, and could be a very useful way for José Mourinho to fill one of the positions he is already looking to strengthen.

Alvaro Morata

Morata was given his debut by Mourinho when he was aged just 18, and was made into a star by his successor at the Bernabéu, Carlo Ancelotti. Having already won the Champions League with the club, returned to Madrid last summer following a two year stint at Juventus. Despite scoring 20 goals this season, he has spent most of the campaign playing second fiddle to Karim Benzema.

Morata looks likely to be on the move this summer, with A.C. Milan favourites for his signature. Given how United’s profligacy in front of goal cost them so many points last season, especially at home, he would certainly be a fantastic addition to the squad. Capable of playing as either the main or second striker, if de Gea is to depart United this summer, it would be surprising if Mourinho wasn’t at least interested in a reconciliation.

Raphaël Varane

Another example that goes against the José Mourinho myth that he has no faith in youth players. Varane was bought by the Portuguese manager during his time as Madrid manager, and carefully blooded into the team. By the time Mourinho returned to Chelsea, the French international defender had become a vital part of the squad. He has since blossomed into one of the finest defenders in Europe.

The idea of Varane swapping the Bernabéu for Old Trafford might seem absurd, especially as he is seen as a key player, but there are a few factors that could potentially swing it in our favour. Firstly, Varane is rumoured to have grown up supporting United, with Rio Ferdinand the player he idolised. He has also spoke of his admiration for Mourinho, who helped shape his career by bringing him to Madrid. There is also the fact that he has won every club honour it is possible to win with his current employers. Now aged 24, with his best years still ahead of him, he may fancy the challenge of testing himself in the Premier League.

James Rodríguez

This would be the least surprising transfer of the players on this list, given that he has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for months. United have had several opportunities to sign the Colombian international, the most notable being in 2011. Remarkably, United opted to spend £7 million on a player Ferguson hadn’t even seen play, rather than the €5 million fee that saw him end up at Porto.

Rodríguez has been linked with a £40 million transfer to United again this summer, with the player eager to leave thanks to lack of playing time under Zinedine Zidane. If, as reports suggest, United are going to sign him anyway, maybe Madrid might consider using him as a makeweight to lower what would surely be a world record transfer deal for a goalkeeper.

Gareth Bale

Until the day that Gareth Bale returns to the Premier League, he will continue to be linked with its biggest clubs. Some United fans have voiced their displeasure about the fact that he has twice decided against a move to Old Trafford, and there are concerns about his injury record this season. This would be very unlikely to deter Ed Woodward from trying to sign him, for his marketability as much as his talent. Bale is one of the most famous players in the world, and his signature would boost United’s revenue to the point that the transfer fee would almost take of itself.

The thought of Bale leaving Madrid at all seemed ludicrous last summer, but since he suffered the injury that practically ended his season, his replacement, Isco, has given Zidane no reason to drop him. Rumour has it that, after declaring himself fit for the Champions League final on Saturday, he will consider his Madrid future if he doesn’t start the game. Should that happen, United, along with several others will no doubt scramble for his signature. 

Toni Kroos

The German international was all lined up for a move to Old Trafford three years ago. As with Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, David Moyes had already done the groundwork for the transfer, and the deal was agreed in principle. Unlike with Shaw and Herrera, new manager Louis van Gaal vetoed the idea, and the player joined Real Madrid.

The midfielder is a regular first team starter at the Bernabéu, but nobody at that club is irreplaceable. If Real Madrid want a player, as they apparently want de Gea, they might well be open to a deal involving Kroos. At least United can throw in the sweetener of Champions League football next season and, with the amount the club are likely to spend in the transfer market, the possibility of a Premier League title challenge. United might get their man, albeit three years later than they originally wanted him.

Final Thought

When Manchester United sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in 2009, that money burned a hole in their pocket for a couple of seasons. While Sir Alex Ferguson claimed there was no value in the market, nobody could quite understand why he didn’t ask for some of Madrid’s squad players to be used as a makeweight. Dutch stars Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were sold that summer, to Bayern Munich and Inter respectively. The latter was linked with a move to United for the following four or five summers, a move which never transpired.

No United fan wants David de Gea to leave Old Trafford this summer, any more than we wanted Ronaldo to leave eight years ago. But if it is going to happen, surely United should try to do it on their terms as much as possible. There is a lot of talent at Real Madrid, some of which they may be willing to part with if they really want de Gea so badly.