Almost a decade has passed since one of the most dramatic transfer collapses in modern football — the infamous failed move of David de Gea to Real Madrid. While the Spanish goalkeeper has remained mostly tight-lipped about the ordeal, he’s now offered a rare glimpse into how he sees that moment in hindsight.
In an interview with Cronache Di Spogliatoio, de Gea was asked about that fateful day in 2015 when a deadline-day transfer to Real Madrid collapsed at the last moment. The deal had been all but
finalized: De Gea was on the verge of leaving Manchester United with just a year remaining on his contract, and Real Madrid had negotiated a favorable fee. But due to last-minute paperwork issues — and what many believe to be a broken fax machine — the deal fell through.
Looking back on the situation, De Gea said:
“At the end of my career, I’ll talk about what happened that day. When certain things happen, it’s for a reason. I stayed in Manchester and I was happy. Courtois went there, having found a place at Atlético thanks to my departure. He did very well, and I’m happy for him.”
De Gea’s comments suggest there’s more to the story than what’s been publicly known — and that fans may have to wait until his retirement to hear the full version.
This failed transfer is a big ‘what if’, but it’s safe to say, Real Madrid fans are happy about the outcome.
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