Sealing Man Utd star’s homecoming top of Rafa’s Galactico list
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Rafa Benitez’s unveiling as Real Madrid boss looks a mere formality and following a silverware-free season at the Santiago Bernebeu, the Spaniard’s summer remit is bound to be a simple one; land some big names.
It doesn’t matter who the incumbent Madrid boss is, especially with club president Florentino Perez pulling the strings, the transfer window mustn’t pass without at least one Galatico arriving.
A La Liga veteran such as Benitez be well aware of this fact, but luckily for the Spaniard, his task should be made simpler by the apparent willingness of one star attraction to sign on the dotted line.
That man is Manchester United’s cherished number one goalkeeper David De Gea.
A native of Madrid, the perception has long been held that De Gea’s burning desire is to seal a dream move to the 10-time European champions.
Having secured his second straight player-of-the-season gong at Old Trafford, odds of 2/7 now say that will happen before the summer is out, according to Ladbrokes.
Although De Gea fits the profile of a Galactico signing, Benitez will still be expected to enrich the outfield with at least one more world-class edition.
More realistically, that will become two at least, to send out a signal of intent he won’t settle for another barren campaign as incoming boss.
Rumours persist that his former charge at Liverpool, Raheem Sterling, is being lined up already as the 20-year-old is desperate to cut ties with the Anfield club.
Benitez’s imminent appointment has seen Real shorten to 5/2, as the most likely destination away from Liverpool for Sterling this summer.
However, Sterling’s obvious potential is unlikely to satisfy the restless Los Blancos fans, with one of Juventus pairing Arturo Vidal or Paul Pogba in the ball park of what is expected in the Spanish capital.
Capturing either looks a slightly harder task according to the odds though, as the new manager will have to defy prices of 12/1 or 6/1 respectively to snare the treble-chasing midfielders.
Man United’s loan flop, Radamel Falcao, who has previously excelled in Spain, ranks an intriguing bet at 6s too.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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