Real Madrid have reportedly decided they won’t wait a year to sign David De Gea on a free transfer and will instead move to acquire his services this summer.

That is according to Carlos Carpio of Marca, who reports that manager Rafael Benitez and club president Florentino Perez “met midway through last week to finalise the club’s first-team squad, and that squad included David De Gea.”

Carpio also reports that Real hope not to have to meet Manchester United’s hefty €40 million valuation, with an exchange involving Keylor Navas “the most logical way” of reaching an agreement as “it is a solution that would represent a win-win situation for all parties.”

United have brought in Sergio Romero already this summer, but while the Argentinian has looked dependable in his first two games for the club, he is not at De Gea’s level.

Admittedly neither is Navas, but the Costa Rican has impressed at the 2014 World Cup and in seasons past before he became Iker Casillas’ back-up in Madrid, as WhoScored.com shows:

The 28-year-old would therefore provide Romero with invaluable competition for United’s No. 1 spot and a strong alternative should the Argentinian’s move not work out as planned.

Ultimately, this seems the most likely outcome to the biggest transfer saga of the summer.

 

Real Madrid Dismiss Juventus Enquiry for Isco

According to David Amoyal, translator on behalf of Gianlucadimarzio.com, “contacted Real Madrid and Chelsea about Isco and Oscar respectively, but neither player is available.”

The Spaniard was reportedly reassured of his future with the club by Benitez in June, per Alberto Pinero of Goal.com.

A wise choice it seems, as the attacking midfielder has a long and bright future ahead of him.

The 23-year-old laid on 14 goals for his team-mates in all competitions last season, as well as finding the net six times himself.

As WhoScored.com illustrates, Isco is exceptional with the ball at his feet, while his vision and ability to execute difficult passes are also outstanding:

Los Blanco’s wealth of attacking and creative talent ensures Benitez will have a tough time in giving all of them game time, but Isco’s talent and incisive contributions earn him a place in their starting XI.

 

Los Blancos Close in on Inter Milan’s Mateo Kovacic

According to Marca‘s Oscar Martinez, “Mateo Kovacic is on his way to becoming a new Real Madrid player” and “is soon to be presented at the Santiago Bernabeu.”

Earlier in the summer, the 21-year-old declared his future lay with Inter Milan.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sky Sports) he said: “I want to stay here. I will not leave. That’s what I wanted, that’s what my renewal until 2019 shows, there will be a long relationship between myself and Inter.”

If Martinez’s report is accurate, the midfielder will have performed a Fabian Delph-esque U-turn, though when Real Madrid are involved a switch will always be a tempting prospect.

Kovacic has been a standout player at Inter for some time, and last year scored five goals in all competitions and assisted eight.

As WhoScored.com shows, the youngster likes to get forward and uses his excellent array of passing as he does so:

BeIN Sports’ Matteo Bonetti is clearly a fan of the midfielder, who he feels deserves even more game time at Inter:

Though his arrival will only add to Benitez’s selection headaches, the youngster is rapidly on his way to becoming a genuine star.

If he can cope with the step up to Real and handle the enormous pressure that comes with a move to the Bernabeu, expect Kovacic to shine over the coming seasons.

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