Real Madrid still plan to sign Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea this summer, despite having a Fifa transfer ban imposed on them on Thursday, writes Miguel Delaney for The Independent on Sunday.
It is understood the Real hierarchy met that afternoon to discuss the ramifications of the ban on signing players, which covers two transfer windows, this summer’s and Janaury 2016.
They emerged from the meeting so confident of winning their appeal, they decided not to rush through signings during this January window, which is excluded from the ban, and wait until the summer to make a move for De Gea.
After nearly joining Real last summer, the Spaniard remains a primary target mostly due to his age and status as much as his talent. He is seen as being the club’s goalkeeper for the next decade.
Newcastle United vs Manchester United - player ratings
The domestic transfer window saw a major signing come out of the blue yesterday, when Southampton signed QPR striker Charlie Austin for £4m. The 26-year-old, who was also being tracked by Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, was the fourth-highest Premier League scorer last season with 18. This season, despite injuries – Austin is just recovering from a knee problem – he has managed 10 goals in 16 Championship appearances.
On selling players, Southampton manager Ronald Koeman said: “Nobody is for sale now. At the end of the season, you don’t know.”
