Real Madrid are reportedly planning to make big moves this month after FIFA banned the Spanish La Liga club from acquiring players in the next two transfer windows.
Multiple reports indicated that Real Madrid are now preparing for the suspension, and are planning to add more high-quality players before the ban take into effect. According to reports, Los Blancos are eyeing deals for English Premier League stars Eden Hazard, Sergio Aguero, Paul Pogba and David De Gea.
The Sun UK reported that Real Madrid are planning to spend £250 million to acquire their main targets. Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane reportedly has Hazard on top of his wish list, while Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is aching to bring Aguero to Bernabeu.
De Gea, on the other hand, has been linked to Real Madrid since last season. The Spanish goalkeeper was actually on his way to Bernabeu last summer but the transfer was halted before the transfer window closed. Real Madrid could still acquire De Gea if they are willing to pay £30 million get-out clause.
But when asked about the possibility of selling De Gea to Real Madrid, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal expressed confidence that the 25-year-old goalkeeper is committed to the Red Devils.
"I don't think that kind of thing plays in the mind of David de Gea," Van Gaal told reporters on Friday. "I don't think that and I have never thought that. That was in a period before the transfer window. But now I am seeing a De Gea who is enjoying staying here at Manchester United and playing good games."
Real Madrid, along with Atletico Madrid, will make an appeal. Both teams are confident that the ban will be lifted. In fact, Real Madrid director general Jose Angel Sanchez insisted that they are not yet thinking of making emergency moves because they are confident their appeal will be successful.
"At this moment we are only thinking about the appeal process," Sanchez said. "We are not even considering the other possibilities. The club has professionals to take care of the planning and they will do what they have to do. From our point of view, common sense will see that there will be no consequences for the club."
