Real Madrid have released a statement clarifying the timeline of their discussion with Manchester United over the collapsed David de Gea transfer.
The goalkeeper was on the verge of completing a move to the La Liga side last night ahead of the Spanish league's transfer deadline, but the paperwork was not completed in time.
The 10-point statement claims that United did not begin negotiations until yesterday morning, but that the contracts were agreed before the deadline.
The Spanish side states that United took eight hours to send their comments on the initial contracts, before finalising a deal with Keylor Navas, who was expected to head to Old Trafford, just seven minutes short of the deadline, resulting in the paperwork being sent to La Liga officials late.
Real insist that they did "everything necessary" to ensure that the deal went through.
Real are not expected to appeal to FIFA to force the transfer through.
Sian Cowper
