Real Madrid preparing David de Gea bid despite transfer ban

Hold on United fans, De Gea Watch isn't over just yet.

Real Madrid may well have been slapped with a 12-month transfer ban last week, but that hasn't slowed their plans when it comes to summer recruitment. De Gea was widely expected to complete the move that came so close to fruition last August, only for a farcical episode involving the failed processing of the transfer that saw him remain at Old Trafford this season. But after Fifa imposed the suspension on Real and city rivals Atletico, many United fans rejoiced in the belief that the world-class goalkeeper would be theirs for another year. However, the Independent is reporting that Real are so confident of successfully appealing the transfer ban, which resulted from issues over underage signings, that, rather than rush through a series of moves while they still can this month, Los Blancos are happy to wait until the summer. The paper states:

"It is understood the Real hierarchy met that afternoon to discuss the ramifications of the ban on signing players, which covers two transfer windows, this summer’s and Janaury 2016. "They emerged from the meeting so confident of winning their appeal, they decided not to rush through signings during this January window, which is excluded  from the ban, and wait until the summer to make a move for De Gea."