David De Gea latest: Manchester United goalkeeper set to stay at Old Trafford after Real Madrid decide against appeal

The long-awaited transfer has collapsed due to administrative errors

Mark Critchley
Tuesday 01 September 2015 14:48 BST
Comments
David De Gea in the stands at Manchester United
David De Gea in the stands at Manchester United (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

David de Gea will remain at Manchester United after Real Madrid decided not to appeal to Fifa over the goalkeeper's collapsed move.

The Spaniard's move to Real Madrid fell through at the eleventh hour last night, after the LFP, the Spanish league's governing body, did not receive the paperwork from Madrid on time.

As per Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid's documents came through 28 minutes late, despite an agreement being struck an hour before the deadline.

It was suggested that both clubs were willing to appeal to the world governing body in order to push the move through. However, any appeal would involve the co-operation of each club's respective league administrators.

Given that there has never been a successful attempt to appeal a late transfer in the history of the Spanish league, Real Madrid have decided against lodging a complaint.

Reports initially suggested that technical difficulties on Manchester United's end were the reason why the transfer could not be completed before the Spanish deadline.

Sources close to Real accused their English counterparts of failing to send the necessary documents to the LFP.

However, it later emerged that United had sent their documentation through on time, but in a format that staff at the LFP could not open.

AS has since reported that Madrid 'keeper Keylor Navas, who was set to join United as part of the De Gea deal, wished to make changes to his contract, meaning that the paperwork dispatched later than expected.

The Old Trafford club have said they are 'relaxed' about the prospect of their goalkeeper staying at the club, despite the prospect of him leaving on a free when his contract expires next summer.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in