Sergio Ramos to sign new deal with Real Madrid – what now for David de Gea?

Well well well. Who'd have thunk it. One of the most high-profile transfer sagas of the summer looks to be over.

Marca, who have an inside track on Real Madrid news, are reporting with complete confidence that Sergio Ramos will sign a lucrative new deal with the Bernabeu club this week. According to the Spanish paper, it will be a three-year extension on his current deal, running until 2020 - when the experienced defender will be 34 years of age. It instantly kills any chance of the defender moving to Old Trafford this summer or ever. It also leaves David de Gea in a strange kind of limbo. Manchester United have remained adamant that the goalkeeper would only be allowed to leave the club if Real Madrid granted Ramos permission to go the other way. Now that Real's club captain is on the verge of committing himself to the club, will United change their stance? Will they succumb to cashing in on De Gea now rather than losing him for nothing? It all comes as a huge blow to Louis van Gaal, who had earmarked Ramos are his defensive lynchpin. The club have already ruled out Nicolas Otamendi, and there's a dearth of quality options currently on the market.