Could Real Madrid signing David De Gea stop Aston Villa landing Sam Johnstone from Manchester United?
Manchester United’s David De Gea applauds fans after the game
It seems inevitable that Real Madrid will make another attempt to sign David De Gea from Manchester United this summer, reports ESPN.
The Red Devils may be keen to hold onto their goalkeeper, but it will certainly be tempting for the Spain international to return to his home city and a club who has won the Champions League two of the past three seasons (and could make it three in four on Saturday against Juventus in the 2017 final).
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League
If Madrid president Florentino Perez does eventually land De Gea, after trying to sign him in 2015 and 2016 as well, then United manager Jose Mourinho will have some thinking to do between the sticks.
Mourinho has trusted backup Sergio Romero in 2016/17, playing the stopper in 13 of the 15 games on the way to winning the Europa League, as well as six other appearances across three more competitions.
If Romero does make the step up then suddenly Sam Johnstone would be in line to become the number two in goal, something which could scupper Aston Villa’s plans to sign the 23-year-old.
Aston Villa’s Sam Johnstone
Johnstone spent the second half of the last campaign on-loan at Villa Park and impressed, which according to the Express and Star lead manager Steve Bruce to meet Mourinho to discuss a permanent move.
However, the Portuguese will not want to let two of his three ‘keepers leave Old Trafford this summer unless he has a contingency plan, which could mean unless Bruce wants to wait on Madrid (who took their De Gea pursuit to transfer deadline day in 2015) he may have to start looking elsewhere.
Manchester United’s Sergio Romero
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