Real Madrid 'refusing to meet Man Utd's David de Gea valuation'

Louis van Gaal claims Real Madrid are refusing to offer a realistic fee for unsettled Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

United begin their Premier League campaign at home to Tottenham on Saturday but De Gea has been left out of the squad because he has been unsettled by talk of a move to Madrid, according to Van Gaal.

When asked if Real Madrid had matched their valuation of De Gea, Van Gaal said: "No, I don't think so.

"We are asking money and they have to pay money. In recent years Manchester United have paid a lot of money on players and not received a lot for our players.
"He's the best goalkeeper we've had for the last three years, I believe.
"The last two years he was nominated by the fans as the best player at the club. Do you think the coach wants him to leave? I don't think so. The player still has to manage this situation."
The United boss claims it would be too much of a risk starting the 24-year-old against Spurs, so he looks set to turn to inexperienced Sam Johnstone or new signing Sergio Romero instead.
"We've observed him in training sessions and matches and he's not the David de Gea of last year," Van Gaal said.
"He tries and does (his) utmost best, but it's a difficult situation. Now we have to play our first match and I want players who can focus only on the match and he is not capable to do that.

We are asking money and they have to pay money.

Louis van Gaal on Real Madrid's David de Gea pursuit

"He shall not play."
Van Gaal thinks the situation would not be so messy if the transfer window shut before the start of the season.
He added: "I am the victim, the fellow players are the victims, the club is the victim. That's why the transfer period has to change.
"When we are at September 1 then there is a decision because then the transfer period is over.