Manchester United have named David de Gea in their Champions League squad for the tie against Club Brugge in a sign they are ready to play hardball with Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have been chasing the keeper all summer long and are still keen to secure his signature before the end of the transfer window.
So far though, United have refused to deal with the 10-time Champions League winners and expect them to pay around 35 million euros for their two time Player of the Year. With just one year left on his contract, Real are unwilling to go above 20 million euros, knowing they can get him on a free transfer next summer.
United boss Louis van Gaal left de Gea out of the side for the season opener against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend – which some interpreted as a sign they are finally accepting he will leave.
But the Red Devils included de Gea in their squad for their Champions League qualifier against the Belgian side. The winner of the two-legged affair will feature in the group stages of this season’s competition.
De Gea signed for United in 2011 from Atletico de Madrid. He is thought to be keen on a move back to the Spanish capital to be closer to his family.
