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Football

31st Aug 2015

David De Gea’s transfer to Real Madrid has reportedly collapsed

Farce

Robert Redmond

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel called the David de Gea transfer saga a “joke” last week.

Well it’s now descended into complete farce.

It was reported today that the Spanish goalkeeper was set to join Real Madrid from Manchester United, with Keylor Navas going the opposite direction.

Personal terms and a transfer fee had been agreed between the two clubs for the respective goalkeepers, and all that remained was for the necessary paperwork to be completed before the Spanish transfer deadline at 11pm (midnight Spanish time).

However, reports emerged that the paperwork wasn’t submitted on time, and the deal is now off.

Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague broke the news earlier tonight, before appearing on Sky Sports News HQ to say there’s no precedent for La Liga granting an extension for deals to be completed.

United reportedly lodged their required paperwork one minute past the deadline, and, according to the Telegraph’s Manchester football correspondent, Mark Ogden: “Real are likely to submit an appeal to Uefa today”.

“With evidence to show that paperwork from both ends of the deal arrived in time and was merely delayed by the volume of papers being received by La Liga.”

As it currently stands, De Gea, who is said to be distraught as he waits on confirmation, is still a Manchester United player, but the picture should become clearer over the next few hours.

What’s for certain is that the situation has become a complete farce.

https://twitter.com/TheFootballRep/status/638481578281299972

More to follow.