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.
The documents did not arrive on time!!!!!! Presentation was ready. All agreed. But as it stands de Gea stays at MUFC!!
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
Marca now say say paperwork did not arrive in time and De Gea will not be a Real Madrid player.
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) August 31, 2015
AS say it didn't happen, no deal. pic.twitter.com/TiRvno6KN0
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) August 31, 2015
As with Falcao last year, which was confirmed at 1am, the 11pm cut-off is not definitive. So may need time for De Gea deal to be confirmed.
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) August 31, 2015
Big call if La Liga block a deal involving Spain keeper and Real Madrid because Man United sent paperwork one minute late.
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) August 31, 2015
Real powerful institution in Spain, so this will show how powerful they are…
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) August 31, 2015
Man Utd relaxed about their involvement in De Gea move. Say they have time-stamped documents to Fifa transfer matching system.
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) August 31, 2015
Man Utd and Real Madrid can't even agree who is to blame. #MUFC adamant all their stuff was sent before deadline.
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) August 31, 2015
Man Utd and Real Madrid can't even agree who is to blame. #MUFC adamant all their stuff was sent before deadline.
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) August 31, 2015
Real Madrid definitely trying to get DDG decision overturned with Spanish authorities. Knowing their power, don't be surprised if it happens
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) August 31, 2015
From Madrid: United did not send paperwork on time. From United: we did. The mystery continues
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
1. Man UTD haven't done this on purpose
2. Perez loves his phone-calls
3. De Gea will be Real-player very soon— Jan Aage Fjørtoft 🇳🇴 (@JanAageFjortoft) August 31, 2015
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”.
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.
Good luck to the La Liga official who thinks they can tell Real Madrid, Man Utd and Jorge Mendes that the De Gea deal is off…
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) August 31, 2015
La Liga says the documents did not arrive on time. Fifa will look at the case tomorrow. Both RM and United pushing for it to happen
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
What’s for certain is that the situation has become a complete farce.
https://twitter.com/TheFootballRep/status/638481578281299972
More to follow.
