Although the Manchester United backroom staff were understandably busy with several high profile comings and goings at their club prior to the start of the 2015/16 campaign, David de Gea’s proposed big money move to Real Madrid arguably went down as the most captivating and interesting saga of the entire summer transfer period.

It was a move that was seemingly guaranteed to take place regardless of how well received the Spanish international had nonetheless grown among the Old Trafford faithful, but after a series of last minute documents were sent in suspiciously ill-timed fashioned on deadline-day last summer, such an outcome simply failed to take place in the end.

So then, now that Real Madrid have subsequently been handed a year-long transfer ban that will supposedly keep the La Liga giants from flashing their cash over the course of the foreseeable future – will David de Gea really remain with the Red Devils this summer, or is this particular deal not dead in the water as we speak?

Well, although the concept of banning Spanish sides from carrying out big money transfer-related activity hasn’t always worked out all that effectively in the past, Real Madrid’s long-term pursuit of David de Gea is theoretically over right in the here and now.

The former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper has been enjoying some of the best form in his career whilst operating for Manchester United of late, so Louis van Gaal will certainly be keen on keeping his No.1 firmly at Old Trafford next season at all costs. And after signing a new long-term contract with the Red Devils upon the closure of the summer transfer window, the 25-year-old Spaniard seemingly won’t be going anywhere at the end of the season.

And let’s face it, as the 2015/16 campaign has ultimately proven one to forget among the Old Trafford faithful thus far, now would seem like a rather inopportune moment for Manchester United to start suddenly selling off one of their star performers.

When it comes to defying all odds in one-on-one situations and making match-winning saves on nearly every given occasion for Van Gaal’s side, this is a player few European giants wouldn’t love to call their own.

Real Madrid’s rather obvious admiration for De Gea is ultimately unsurprising, for although the 25-year-old has admittedly struggled when trying to physically impose himself in and around his own penalty-box at times, the Spain international nonetheless represents a very important asset for Manchester United these days, and one that they won’t be wanting to let slip any time soon.

But, whilst Real Madrid certainly look to be out of the running for the highly coveted ‘keeper’s signature this summer, that doesn’t necessarily mean that David de Gea will still be entertaining the Red Devils faithful down at Old Trafford in 2016/17…

If Van Gaal and his somewhat disappointing Manchester United outfit eventually fail to qualify for a place among the Champions League next season, how long will the ex-La Liga shot-stopper really be interested in staying put?

Very few other top-flight sides have admittedly raised a serious interest in landing De Gea, but as such a changeable notion could easily develop between now and the end of the current campaign, Manchester United will seriously need to up their game if they really want to hold onto their ‘keeper in the long-run.

The 25-year-old does in fact seem happy enough down at Old Trafford right in the here and now, yet with LVG looking increasingly unlikely to hold onto his job in the Manchester United dug-out beyond 2015/16 season, maybe the Red Devils could see a great deal more uncertainty surround this situation in the coming months.

As Real Madrid will seemingly see their once dominant influence within the transfer market dwindle somewhat over the summer however, it seems fair to suggest that David de Gea won’t be making his once highly anticipated move to the Bernabeu any time soon at least…Unless they can dodge the ban heading their way!