It's football folklore at this stage that David de Gea would almost certainly have left Manchester United in 2015, had it not been for a faulty fax machine at Old Trafford preventing the crucial paperwork from being processed.
As it turned out, de Gea would ultimately stay at United for another eight years, during which he once again won the club's player of the year award on two occasions.
There was a time in those eight years during which De Gea was inarguably the finest goalkeeper in the Premier League, but his performances dipped dramatically in recent seasons, and his departure earlier this summer did not come as any kind of surprise.
READ HERE: Remembering Roy Keane's Most Vicious Rant Against David De Gea
It's easy to wonder how de Gea and Manchester United's fortunes would have panned out had that 2015 move to Real Madrid not fallen through - though it now seems as though he might get that move, eight years later.
READ HERE: FPL 2023/24: The Most Enticing Differentials For GW1
David de Gea may get his Real Madrid move at last
Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world with his performances for the Spanish side in recent years.
The highlight of his time with the club was undoubtedly the 2022 Champions League final, during which he practically held Liverpool goalless by himself.
However, the Madridistas have been handed a killer blow ahead of the new La Liga season, with Courtois sustaining an ACL injury on the eve of their opening game of the season against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Courtois ruptured his ACL, in a horror injury which could keep him out for the season.
As a result, Real Madrid are now frantically looking for a top-class replacement, and Sky Sports suggest that David de Gea is a leading contender.
BREAKING: Real Madrid are exploring goalkeeping options in light of Thibaut Courtois's ACL injury and contact has been made with David de Gea's representatives. 🧤 pic.twitter.com/nfWEzFYAGm
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 10, 2023
READ HERE: Power Rankings: The 8 Quarterfinalists In The Women's World Cup
Sky reported on Thursday afternoon that Real Madrid have already made contact with de Gea and his representatives, as the Spaniard continues to look for a new club after leaving Manchester United as a free agent at the end of June.
It would certainly be a move which would see de Gea land on his feet, with the Spanish goalkeeper seemingly struggling to find suitors after his departure from Old Trafford.
De Gea grew up in Madrid, and played for Real's cross-city rivals Atletico at the beginning of his career, before signing for Manchester United in 2011.
With the turnaround to Saturday's opening game only two days, Real will likely start with Ukrainian Andriy Lunin against Athletic on Saturday.
SEE ALSO: Martin O'Neill Earns Rod Stewart Comparisons After Bizarre EFL Cup Draw Antics
