Real
Madrid may make a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois if they fail
to capture David de Gea this summer, according to Guillem Balague.
Manchester United goalkeeper De Gea was on the verge of a move to the
Bernabeu last summer, before the deal bizarrely broke down on Deadline Day.
Courtois' Chelsea failed to qualify for Europe for next season, and Balague
believes the Belgian would be a fitting plan B if De Gea stays put once
again.
Spanish football expert Balague told Sky Sports News HQ: "There is a private
agreement by which Real Madrid could actually get David de Gea if they pay
50m euros. There is a time limit to that.
"I'm pretty sure Mourinho will want De Gea to stay but it will be a decision
that will involve both De Gea and Real Madrid.
"At the beginning of the season everyone expected De Gea to be the next
Galactico but now the situation has changed, not only because Jose Mourinho
has arrived at Manchester United, but also Keylor Navas has done really
well.
"So what Real have done in recent weeks in case they don't get De Gea, is
try to convince Thibaut Courtois to go to Real Madrid."
Transfer speculation in and out of Manchester United is rife with the
impending arrival of Jose Mourinho after Louis van Gaal's sacking on Monday.
But Balague says the situation with former United forward Cristiano Ronaldo
and PSG has not changed, and believes the Portuguese star and his former
manager will never work together again.
"Somehow I don't think Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo will ever cross
paths again. The relationship broke down when they were at Real Madrid and
I'm not sure that will be rekindled.
"There's clearly an offer from PSG to get Ronaldo. It's a high offer but
maybe not high enough for Real Madrid.
"There's a private agreement between Jorge Mendes and PSG for Ronaldo to go
to France but if Real don't feel there is anyone of that calibre in the
market, not only will they keep him but they may actually renew his contract
for a couple more years."
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