The second, and perhaps more daunting, obstacle for Manchester United is Valverde’s own desire. Despite the headlines and the tension in the Spanish capital, the midfielder’s focus remains solely on returning to action for the club he loves. According to theAS report, sources close to the player suggest his wish is to stay and fight for his place rather than seek a fresh start in England or France.
Real Madrid have successfully kept a lid on major departures in the past by leaning on the loyalty of their core stars, and Valverde appears to be no exception. Unless the club hierarchy explicitly places him on the transfer list, United may find that even a record-breaking bid is not enough to convince the troubled midfield hero to swap Madrid for Manchester this summer.