Guillem Balague
Spanish Football Expert & Columnist @GuillemBalague
Real Madrid given up on Manchester United's David de Gea, says Guillem Balague
Last Updated: 23/06/16 3:28pm
Real Madrid have given up on signing Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, Sky Sports' Guillem Balague says.
De Gea saw his dream move to the Bernabeu collapse in the final hours of last summer's transfer window and went on to sign a contract extension at Old Trafford.
That has not prevented constant speculation over his future but, according to Spanish football expert Balague, Real have now accepted the Spain No 1 will stay put and work under Jose Mourinho.
"I think De Gea now is a clear situation," Balague told Sky Sports News HQ. "Real Madrid have decided not to go with him. He's happy, he wants to stay with Manchester United and see what Jose Mourinho brings to him."
Balague also offered his insight on potential deals involving De Gea's international team-mates Alvaro Morata, Hector Bellerin, Cesar Azpilicueta and Nolito.
Real Madrid are taking up an option to re-sign Morata from Juventus, but the striker could yet end up in the Premier League next season.
Balague said: "Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are waiting to see if they have a chance to get him but the first to put an offer in seems to be Chelsea - about 50m euros (£38m). Real Madrid want to keep him but they don't want to keep an unhappy player."
Arsenal's confidence of keeping Bellerin, meanwhile, could lead Barca in the direction of Chelsea's Azpilicueta.
"Barcelona are trying to get Hector Bellerin from Arsenal and they think they have a chance but Arsenal think they've got no chance whatsoever," Balague said.
"So then they have to go to plan B - Cesar Azpilicueta - they think it could be a possibility. The thing is he is being followed by Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, even by Athletic Bilbao."
And on Manchester City's interest in Celta Vigo forward Nolito, he said: "City are convinced that they've got him. He has a buy-out clause of 18m euros. They think they can make it official at some point and they're very close to it."