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Welsh dynamo Gareth Bale has been a target for Manchester United for some time, as it has been recently reported that United actually outbid Real Madrid in hopes of obtaining Bale but the winger had his heart set on playing for Real.
One year later, United’s interest in Bale has never wavered nor dissipated and Madrid is open to letting the Red Devils bring Bale to Old Trafford, but at a heavy price… the inclusion of David De Gea into any deal.
Los Blancos see De Gea as the goalkeeper for not only Real Madrid, but for the Spanish national team as well. At just 24 years old and just six years on a top-flight team, De Gea has showed the prowess, skill and big save-making ability that can propel a team to the next level and cover for lapses by the backline.
De Gea has more than covered for the patchwork defensive line that Manchester United has had to field this season due to injuries and a team that is much more offensively loaded. While Bale is world-class when it comes to offensive skill, between Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie, Falcao, Juan Mata and Angel DI Maria, there would be no room for Bale to slide in to the first team.
If United decided to do a swap of De Gea for Bale, the drop-off in talent between the pipes is noticeable, with Anders Lindegaard, Ben Amos and Sam Johnstone the only other goalkeepers under contract at Old Trafford, who have a combined 20 appearances for United, 19 of which are Lindegaard’s.
There’s also the Victor Valdes situation, which pays an interesting role in the future of De Gea. Valdes, the former Barcelona standout, is currently rehabbing a knee injury that has caused him to be out of action since March. Valdes is not currently under contract to any team, but as he’s only 32, there is still much for him to offer and having Valdes there as a safety valve could be pushing United to make the swap. However, De Gea has proven himself to be a cornerstone of the team and a player to build a team around.
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