At Real Madrid there is a certain suspicion with regards to what may happen to David de Gea, whose possible arrival at the Bernabéu may only happen if Sergio Ramos moves in the other direction to Manchester United. The way the transfer has progressed has led to Madrid starting to look at other back-up options in case De Gea does not end up at the club and Ramos still departs. One option is to sign a goalkeeper who could act as back-up to Keylor Navas if Van Gaal does not let De Gea leave this summer and Casillas moves to Porto.
The choice is Kiko Casilla, Espanyol’s No.1 and a player who came through the youth ranks at Madrid. He recently signed a new contract to stay in Catalonia until 2018 and has a release clause of €20 million. But Madrid, through the terms of his contract, can bring him back to the Spanish capital for €10 million, an amount they consider fair for a goalkeeper with such quality.
Madrid are also looking at the options to replace Ramos if he departs and if they lose out on Nicolás Otamendi – Ezequiel Garay. United are at an advanced stage with Otamendi (Van Gaal wants him to partner Ramos) and the fact he is a non-EU player causes Madrid problems. If he comes to Madrid, Benítez will have to make do without Casemiro, who would go out on-loan (he is also classed as a non-EU player). Garay has a European passport and knows Madrid. The club are not concerned by his injuries and know that 50 per cent of his rights were sold to Benfica for €5.5 million.