David De Gea $45 Million Move To Real Madrid Cancelled Over Late Paperwork [UPDATE]
By Ty Duffy
David de Gea is still a Manchester United player, for now. United agreed terms with Real Madrid for a $45 million transfer. The move has looked like a fait accompli all summer, but it appears the paperwork did not go through in time.
The documents did not arrive on time!!!!!! Presentation was ready. All agreed. But as it stands de Gea stays at MUFC!!
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
The two clubs, not surprisingly, are blaming each other for the snafu. FIFA is purportedly reviewing the situation tomorrow, with both clubs wanting to complete the deal. If FIFA, sticklers for the rule of law, rule against the two super clubs, the move would be off until January. Bryan Ruiz was blocked from moving to Valencia on loan after a similar paperwork mistake in February.
La Liga says the documents did not arrive on time. Fifa will look at the case tomorrow. Both RM and United pushing for it to happen
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
Moral of the story: don’t wait until the last minute, literally. Complete your eight-figure soccer transactions at 11:55PM like sensible folk.
UPDATE: UEFA announced that David De Gea will “100 percent” remain at Manchester United, as opposed to only 84 percent. Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was supposed to move the opposite way as part of the deal, will stay with Real Madrid.
UPDATE: Well, UEFA just deleted that tweet. Stay tuned, I guess…
UPDATE: The deal is off, officially. Real Madrid released a statement blaming negotiations between Manchester United and Keylor Navas for holding up the deal past the deadline.
[Getty]