Real: ‘Lack of experience’ killed De Gea deal

What you need to know:

  • And although Real have been chasing the goalkeeper for more than a year as a long-term replacement for Iker Casillas, Perez refused to confirm they would make a second move for de Gea when the transfer window reopens in January.
  • Madrid seemed set to conclude the long-running transfer saga late on Monday’s deadline day with a deal worth around $33.9 million and Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas joining United.

David de Gea’s transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid broke down at the last minute due to the Premier League club management’s “lack of experience”, Real president Florentino Perez claimed yesterday.

And although Real have been chasing the goalkeeper for more than a year as a long-term replacement for Iker Casillas, Perez refused to confirm they would make a second move for de Gea when the transfer window reopens in January.

Madrid seemed set to conclude the long-running transfer saga late on Monday’s deadline day with a deal worth around $33.9 million and Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas joining United.

But Spanish league sources confirmed the player had not been registered and Madrid admitted they had sent the required documentation after the window closed at midnight local time (2200 GMT).

Madrid had accused United of sending the documents after the Spanish deadline had passed, but the English club laid the blame at Madrid’s door and said they were “delighted” by the outcome.

The Madrid club have come in for ridicule in the Spanish press, but Perez, speaking on Cadena Ser radio, denied it was their fault.

“I don’t want to pin the blame on anyone, but we cannot understand how it could take eight hours (to return the papers)” he said.

“I don’t believe it was done with any bad intention, they just lack experience.”