Is David De Gea Still A Viable Transfer Target For Real Madrid?

Keylor Navas lives a charmed life in the Real Madrid goal.

At the beginning of every season, the same question marks are placed against him, but by the end of it, he’s managed to come into his own and dispelled any doubts about his suitability for the position.

Well he had, until the midweek fixture against Juventus.

The gaffe that allowed the Italians to score their third and come within a whisker of causing the biggest shock in the competition should finally open Zinedine Zidane’s eyes.

Up until now, the Frenchman has been a fervent supporter of the Costa Rican, to the point where negotiations to bring Kepa in from Athletic Club broke down.

But how much longer can he go on placing trust in a custodian that is getting no younger and who has these lapses on a regular basis in the big games?

Each and every time Navas commits another high-profile error, the name of David de Gea looms largest.

The Manchester United stopper has maintained a dignified silence for some while now, but a chance to move back to Madrid and to sunnier climbs must appeal.

His hire won’t come cheap of course. Even before Neymar signed for Paris Saint-Germain, Jose Mourinho suggested that only a world record bid, somewhere in the region of €75m, would tempt United to even consider doing business.

Given the upward trajectory that market prices have taken recently, you can probably add another €10-€15m on top. With wages added on, that would take a five-year deal for the Spanish No.1 to well over a €100m euro investment.

Clearly, Real Madrid have enough money, but the question is whether they’re willing to place so much in the Red Devils’ coffers for a keeper.

Eden Hazard’s name has also been mentioned in dispatches and if Los Blancos decide to firm up their interest with Chelsea, then most of summer 2018’s transfer budget will be eaten up already.

The one bargaining chip Florentino Perez does have is Gareth Bale.

Let there be no doubt whatsoever now that Bale is on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu.

Only being played for 90 minutes in routine, inconsequential matches by Zidane has sent the clearest message yet to the Welshman that he is surplus to requirements.

Bale’s preference was to stay in Madrid, but even he must now accept he’s flogging a dead horse, so pastures new beckon.

It really isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that a swap deal of sorts could be thrashed out.

Watch this space.