David Dea to join Real Madrid late in window, says Guillem Balague

Gary Neville has claimed that Louis van Gaal and chief executive Ed Woodward will face “massive two weeks” as Manchester United look to retain the players and make new additions to the squad.

If last week he joined a long list of footballers to have been surprised by one of Louis van Gaal’s remarks, he is professional enough to put that behind him and give his all to United.

There was a glut of deals done early in the summer but that has slowed before the inevitable blow-out, just before the transfer window closes.

“And at goalkeeper where they had De Gea“, he said.

The fact remains that United are a stronger side with De Gea in their team, and his name on the teamsheet will give plenty of confidence.

This is not the first time a move for Navas has been mooted, and others like Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale have also been linked as possible makeweights in the De Gea deal.

The Daily Mail have previously reported that Real would offer £25m to sign De Gea before the end of the transfer window, but it now looks like a free transfer next summer is looking increasingly likely as the two clubs seemingly struggle to reach an agreement. He is at Real Madrid now and may be surplus, so who knows? “And now United are paying for it”. And that’s the last thing United need. Muslera is susceptible to lapses in concentration, and his command of the penalty area is a little shoddy in comparison to a player like De Gea.

Is Muslera good enough to replace De Gea should he leave United?

The money involved is too excessive for a goalkeeper of his calibre, though, and United could certainly find better value elsewhere if they’re willing to part with that kind of money.