Wednesday 20 May 2015 19:44, UK
Iker Casillas is mulling his Real future as Madrid prepare to do "everything they can" to sign David de Gea, says Guillem Balague.
Madrid director general Jose Angel Sanchez held a meeting with Casillas on Tuesday in which the 34-year-old is understood to have been told he is still wanted at the Bernabeu next season.
But Casillas is believed to have been informed that he may have to settle for a place among the substitutes for the final two years of his contract.
“Real told Casillas in a meeting on Tuesday that they want him to stay but that they are also going to buy another goalkeeper this summer, so the ball is in the goalkeeper’s court,” Balague told Sky Sports.
“If he wants to stay then he knows what the situation will be next season - when he could find himself on the substitutes’ bench. However, if he wants to leave, then the door is open for him as well.”
Many are speculating that this could now be Casillas' final match at the Bernabeu
“[Coach] Carlo Ancelotti asked Casillas which of the club’s final two league games he wanted to play in - away at Espanyol last weekend or at home to Getafe - as the Italian also wanted to try out Keylor Navas in goal before the end of the season.
“He chose the game at the Bernabeu on Saturday and many are speculating that this could now be his final match.
“If Casillas does leave, then he wants the remainder of his contract paid up in full, but with Madrid saying he can stay, the situation has been complicated as he cannot now ask for the club to pay him the final two years on his deal.”
Real remain determined to pull out all the stops this summer to lure De Gea, says Balague.
“United continue to say they have no interest in selling De Gea," the Spanish football expert said. "The stories coming out of Spain over the weekend that they are seeking £40m for him are not true.
“Instead, United want to try and convince De Gea to stay at Old Trafford this summer by offering him a new contract on wages five times higher that he currently earns.
“So De Gea has a decision to make coming up, but he is yet to make it. However, Madrid will try and do everything they possibly can to sign him, although that is still a long way from happening.”
