Real Madrid are eager to wrap up a deal for Manchester United’s David De Gea within the next few weeks, as the Spanish giants want to include the goalkeeper on their pre-season tour next month.
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Los Blancos fly to Melbourne on July 13 for the International Champions Cup, where Manchester City and AS Roma will also be competing, and new manager Rafael Benitez is eager for De Gea to be a part of the squad’s preparations for the 2015-16 season. The former Chelsea and Liverpool boss, provided the transfer is completed, could hand the Spanish goalkeeper his debut in their opening clash of the Australian tour versus AS Roma on July 18, The Telegraph report.
According to the British newspaper, Real are yet to make contact with Manchester United chiefs over the former Atletico Madrid star, but an official bid is being readied for next week – when the stopper returns from Spain’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Borisov. An opening bid of £20m is expected, which is a cut-price given the 24-year-old has entered the final year of his Old Trafford contract.
Louis van Gaal does not want to lose his no.1, however the Dutchman has conceded defeat in keeping the Spain international at the Theatre of Dreams after reportedly drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements. Chelsea’s Petr Cech and Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris are among the former Netherland manager’s top goalkeeping targets [The Independent].