The protracted and ultimately doomed transfer of David De Gea to Real Madrid provided the football world with a massive story throughout the duration of the transfer window. Incompetence, accusations and counter accusations meant that the biggest transfer of the summer was the one that didn't happen.
United and Madrid blame each other as De Gea move falls through
Real Madrid were the first to claim foul, blaming United for the collapse of the deal and including a timeline of events. United hit back with a damning statement and conflicting timeline of thier own. Next up was La Liga president Javier Tabas, who after speaking to Madrid decided that their version of events were closer to the truth. An undignified, bungled transfer followed by an undignified, petty fall out.
However you look at it, whoever is to be believed, the one thing that can't be argued is that the situation is a complete and utter mess. On social media, it has been greeted with hilarity as is the norm, but for De Gea and Keylor Navas - the other party in the deal - it is far from funny. The war of words between the clubs appears to have finished, but the players now have to pick up the pieces.
De Gea 'distraught' according to some but remains professional
De Gea has joined up with Spain in preparation for European Championship qualifying games, and has so far avoided talking to the media. Pictures of him arriving showed what looked to be a very unhappy person, as you would expect. He was then seen hugging Juan Mata, and yesterday Mata spoke about his friend in a press conference. He maintained that De Gea has always been professional and will continue to be so when he arrives back in Manchester. A fair assessment, and no doubt true.
The problem for De Gea is that, despite keeping his respectful counsel, it is clear that he wanted to go to Madrid. He hasn't played this season so far, with Louis van Gaal claiming he wasn't right mentally, so even though he remains a United player throwing him in against Liverpool is potentially just as much a gamble as keeping faith with Sergio Romero. The goalkeeper position is the most mentally challenging, and if he head wasn't right last week, then it must be pretty muddled right now.
Looking further down the line, there have been suggestions that if he doesn't sign a new contract, he will remain on the sidelines. A United spokesman has refuted the claim as 'rubbish' today, but it is this point that will mean the story will continue to have legs. Spanish paper AS are claiming that he will sign a contract, and agent Jorge Mendes is already in talks with United. Maybe, maybe not. It would make sense in a lot of respects, but this is no easy decision for De Gea.
His contract at the moment doesn't put him in the top earners at United, so signing a new deal will have immediate financial rewards. The flip side to that is that he is reportedly going to get a lump sum from Madrid due to the deal collapsing, and should he move on a free next summer his signing on fee will more than compensate his current lower deal. Running down a contract is a risky business though, and any serious injury could have huge ramifications if it kept him out during next seasons transfer window.
Signing a contract means he would be looked after long term, and it shouldn't impact a deal to Madrid, if they want him. It would mean that Madrid would have to pay a World record fee for a goalkeeper, but it would at least show De Gea how much he really is valued at the Santiago Bernabeu. If they baulked at a premium fee, when money has never previously been a consideration to them, then it would certainly shed clear light on Monday's events and prove their interest was merely symbolic.
We haven't heard the end of this saga. The media's thirst for knowledge is endless and he will be questioned constantly about this sorry mess if and when he puts his gloves back on. The likelihood is that De Gea will swerve the inquisition, but as we see weekly with van Gaal, declining to answer doesn't prevent the same repetitive questions from being posed. He is going to endure a tough year whatever happens, and for that he can thank both United and Madrid for their extremely tactless handling of what should have been an easy transfer.
All in all, De Gea must be very confused and very upset. Peter Schmeichel praised De Gea's mental strength early on in his United career, citing how he put some erratic moments to one side and prove his worth. He will need all of that more than ever. If he is able to reclaim his place in United's starting line up and perfom to the levels he has previously then he will be worth his weight in gold. No haggling necessary.