For a glorious while there it seemed Groundhog Summer in the transfer window could be averted.
David De Gea didn't play in the Europa League final against Ajax on May 24 in Stockholm, Manchester United's most important game of the season. Amid strong reports of heavy interest from Real Madrid, one of the world's top three goalkeepers seemed to be finally on his way to the Spanish capital.
Or not. The Guardian claims United has "no intention" of selling De Gea, 26, on the basis the club will not sell players it wishes to keep.
That seems logical, as does avoiding the onerous result of selling De Gea. José Mourinho would have to spend around £50 million on a replacement, who might not be quite as good as the Spanish international.
Unless De Gea rocks the good ship United—and the suggestion is he won't do that—then United, swimming in television money and sponsorship revenue, has no need to let him go.
As in 2015, when only slow faxes prevented him from moving to Real, and in 2016, when Spanish radio station Cadena Cope claimed Mourinho had blocked another prospective transfer to La Liga, it seems De Gea is going to stay at Old Trafford.
"It's the same thing every day, clean up your room, stand up straight, pick up your feet, take it like a man, be nice to your sister, don't mix beer and wine ever, oh yeah, don't drive on the railroad tracks," said Bill Murray as Phil Connors in Groundhog Day .
He might have added, dally with Real Madrid every season before you realize that Old Trafford isn't so bad, after all.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Sportswriter at Newsweek.
