David De Gea is set to stay at Manchester United with Real Madrid making Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois as their goalkeeper priority.
The Spain international came close to joining the Spanish giants in the summer of 2015, only for it to fall through late on and persuade the 26-year-old to sign a contract extension with the Red Devils.
De Gea has been closely monitored by Madrid ever since, but Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane has focused his sights on Courtois as Keylor Navas’ replacement, who is likely to leave the Bernabeu following a couple of costly errors.
Rumours began to grow further last week surrounding De Gea’s future. His girlfriend Edume Garcia was reported house hunting in the Spanish capital, but Madrid have Courtois as their number one transfer target.
Courtois, a Belgium international, spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid after De Gea’s move to Old Trafford, and he has been in impressive form for Chelsea this season.
The Blues shot-stopper has frequently spoken of his ambition to return to Spain before the end of his career but last week admitted he wanted to remain at Stamford Bridge for a couple more years.
Los Blancos are understood to be preparing a raid on Chelsea this summer, after being rumoured to be lining up a world record bid this summer for Courtois’ club and international teammate Eden Hazard, but apparently Chelsea are confident Hazard will not be going anywhere.
By Drew Darbyshire (@DarbySports)
