Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has welcomed the prospect of the club signing Manchester United star David de Gea this summer, but has also issued a warning to his fellow Spaniard.
SEE ALSO:
Find out the world’s richest footballers in 2015!
Manchester United set Angel Di Maria transfer fee as PSG & Bundesliga giants on alert
Manchester United news
The 34-year-old shot-stopper insists he has no plans to give up his first-team place anytime soon, saying that if De Gea does join the club, he will have to do his best to push him out of the starting lineup.
The Red Devils man has shown himself to be one of the finest goalkeepers in the world with his fantastic displays in the Premier League this season, seeing him emerge as the ideal long-term replacement for Casillas at the Bernabeu.
The two know each other well from international duty with Spain, and Casillas has singled out the 24-year-old as one of the finest in the world in his position at the moment, though, according to the Daily Star, he has no concerns over his own future with the La Liga giants.
“If De Gea does come here, he’ll be welcomed,” he said. “He can handle pressure and the experience he has had at Manchester United will have served him well.
“I prefer Spanish keepers – Sergio Rico, Sergio Asenjo and De Gea. Right now, De Gea is the expert out of the three.
“If he comes we’ll have to compete for a place like we do with Spain. De Gea is a great kid and a goalkeeper for the present and the future.
“I have no plans to leave Real Madrid. I’ll confront next season as though it is my first.
“That’s the challenge I’ve set on myself. Contrary to the rumours doing the rounds, the club has told me to stay.
“Competition is healthy – there is no clause in my contract which states that I have to be first choice.”