Real Madrid President Florentino Perez described Manchester United’s behaviour in the collapsed David De Gea transfer as ‘a disgrace.’
De Gea was on Monday, deadline day in Spain, set to move to Madrid, only for the deal to fail to go through before the midnight cut-off point.
Madrid and United then produced differing timelines of the events that led to the breakdown, each blaming the other for failing to conclude the operation.
“We have clearly summarized what happened. On the last day, 12 hours before deadline, through [De Gea’s agent] Jorge Mendes, United told us they would be open to negotiation,” Perez contended in an interview with El Laguero, reported by Marca.
“They wouldn’t negotiate until Monday. Everything was agreed in time. We had the contracts in half-an-hour.
“We went on the last day for De Gea, who had made a great effort to join us and we couldn’t let him down. We felt we had an obligation to try, knowing it would be very difficult.
“In the afternoon we sensed that we weren’t going to have time because we know of United’s lack of experience in these matters. The same thing happened to [Fabio] Coentrao and Athletic Bilbao with Ander Herrera.
“We sent United the contracts at 1.30pm and it took eight hours for them to return. That left a lot of work. There was very little time from there. The contracts came to us at 00.02am, after the deadline. We and FIFA have evidence of that.
“They did it at 00.00am. It’s a disgrace. I don’t understand why that much time is needed to see some contracts. There’s a lot I don’t understand.”
Perez was asked what will happen next regarding De Gea, whose United contract expires in 2016, although it has been speculated he will be offered a renewal.
The President also discussed Keylor Navas, who was set to move the other way and denied claims he apologised to the Costa Rica international for the move not happening, or that Navas has asked for a new contract as compensation.
“I’m told he was very upset, that he was excited to come here. I don’t know what will happen. We need to reflect,” Perez admitted.
“A year ago we understood De Gea was the most suitable replacement for Iker Casillas, but it wasn’t to be and so Keylor came.
“We’re very pleased with Keylor, but we had a commitment to De Gea. We didn’t think we could [sign De Gea this year] but we tried.
“Casillas always spoke well of him. He’s his natural successor in the national team.
“We didn’t know what was happening until Monday. The operation was good for everyone. We’re satisfied with Navas. I haven’t had to apologise to him and it isn’t true he asked for more money.
“I once wanted to sign [Patrick] Vieira, [Franck] Ribery…you don’t always get what you want.”
