5 reasons why David De Gea to Real Madrid shouldn’t happen

I remember writing a similar article in 2015 and David De Gea himself retweeting it, only to then almost join Real Madrid. What will happen this time is only anyone’s guess, but if rumours are to be believed, then the Blancos will once again try to lure the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper to the capital.

The Spanish goalkeeper has made himself a hero at the Old Trafford, saving his teams with saves after saves after saves and helping them not lose games. However, who doesn’t like to get back home? And Madrid is De Gea’s home.

However, there are times when one has to be away from home to achieve something in life. De Gea has already achieved a lot, but a move to Real Madrid shouldn’t happen—and here is why:

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#5 Increases friction with United

This is actually two ways. First, if the Spanish shot-stopper leaves the Red Devils for Madrid, the fans will absolutely loathe him for it, but I will elaborate on this further down. For now, the focus will be on the rivalry between the English and Spanish giants.

It is clear as the sky that the relationship between Manchester United and Real Madrid isn’t as good as it is among other clubs. Actually, to put it crudely, these clubs have a lot of animosity between them. The refusal to sell De Gea back in 2015 and the European champions’ repeated attempts and tapping up caused a massive rift between the two clubs.

Ever since, things haven’t been the same. While the relation between the two actually started to deteriorate after Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival to the Bernabeu, things just went too sour with De Gea’s pursuit—so much that Madrid refused to sell Morata for a higher price to the Jose Mourinho’s team.

As a result, if this happens, then there will be much more friction between the two clubs and that is never a good thing.

#4 Higher priced

His market value is on the higher end

Manchester United would so absolutely everything to keep their prized asset in the team. Added to that, their strenuous relationship with the Blancos means that they would rather sell the player elsewhere than the Madrid outfit.

All of this would lead to only one thing: Man United increasing their price tag over the goalkeeper.

As of now, the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper is one of the most expensive shot-stoppers in the world. Indeed, his current market value, according to Transfermarkt, is €40 million—which is quite a lot in itself.

Now when it comes to United’s valuation of the goalkeeper, it would certainly be much higher. And when it comes to selling to the Galacticos, keeping in mind the crazy state of the market, it would not be surprising if the Red Devils don’t budge for anything less than 9 figures for him.

#3 More feasible alternatives

Kepa is an outstanding talent

Now that we have cleared the air over how much the Spaniard could potentially cost, it brings us to the point where we can claim that there are more reasonable options. While De Gea may cost somewhere around 9 figures, there are many other goalkeepers—who, might I add, could be better than him—that Madrid could and should target.

For instance, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s relationship with Milan has become almost irreparable and his agent, Mino Raiola is looking for a way out for him. However, it has been claimed that Florentino Perez isn’t willing to work with the Italian agent and, as a result, will opt out of any such deals.

And then there is Kepa of Athletic Club. The Spaniard is now among the hottest talents in town and it is said that the Blancos are very keen to bring him to the Bernabeu. Indeed, there is a good chance that he will be brought this winter itself—which perhaps rules out any move for the United no. 1.

#2 Atletico Madrid roots

De Gea is an Atletic icon

This isn’t entirely a no-no, but it is definitely something that one likes to avoid. While it is true that fans love to get one over their rivals when it comes to signing their player, the relaxed relations between the Madrid sisters is something that more popular one shouldn’t opt to disrupt.

It is said that the two rivals share a gentleman’s agreement of not signing each other’s players directly. The signing of Theo Hernandez has already caused some stir between the two and the potential signing of De Gea will only further fuel it.

Despite not being a direct signing per se, De Gea is still an iconic figure at Atletico. Indeed, he is the best academy product of this era and they wouldn’t want someone like him to go to their bitterest rival.

This might not seem like a big deal, but Madrid should consider this before attempting to acquire the Spain no. 1.

#1 Can become a legend at United

De Gea could become a legend at Old Trafford, like Peter Schmeichel

After being with the club for 6-and-a-half years, the Spaniard has become an icon at Manchester United. The number of times that he has saved the club has helped the Red Devils stay in contention in the league.

Even in their darkest hours under David Moyes, De Gea stood out and always gave them a hope. It is for this reason that the fans absolutely adore him and have no shame in admitting that he has been their best player for the last 3-4 years.

After all this, De Gea has made himself a platform to become a Man United legend—someone in the mould of Edwin van der Sar—and become one its greatest ever goalkeeper. If he leaves for Real Madrid now, he will fall out of favour with the fans and be denied of that chance.