Manchester United transfer news: Real Madrid and Atletico's ban to impact David De Gea and Gareth Bale moves

The Old Trafford club have been linked with players from both Real and Atletico

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea (Getty Images)

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid’s respective bans from signing players in the next two transfer windows will have major ramifications on Europe’s top clubs and the market as a whole.

The ban on the two clubs was administered by Fifa for “breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18”. It will come into effect for the 2016 summer and 2017 winter windows.

There are few who will be affected more than Manchester United who have been linked with players from both Madrid clubs, as well as others that Real and Atletico are interested in. Then, there is the small matter of their Spanish goalkeeper, who would be playing in his homeland if it were not for a faulty fax machine.

So, player-by-player, transfer target by transfer target, how could this affect Manchester United?

David De Gea

The Madrid-born goalkeeper was but an administrative error away from moving to the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of last summer’s window, with a deal between Real and United breaking down at the eleventh hour.

The two clubs subsequently blamed each other for the collapse and De Gea, who had only a year remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, signed a new four-year deal.

This, in theory, worked for both the ‘keeper and his club. The contract presumably granted De Gea permission to move once Los Blancos came calling again while guaranteeing United a fee closer to his true valuation.

However, if Real cannot buy players this summer, that plan goes up in smoke. De Gea looks set to stay for some time yet.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty)

The Portuguese’s time in Spain is coming to an end. Club president Florentino Perez sees Gareth Bale as the future face of the world’s biggest club and Ronaldo himself has never been one to declare an unconditional loyalty to his club.

The 30-year-old left United for Real as a part of a world-record £80million deal in 2009 and barely a year has gone by in which he has not been linked with a return.

That, however, may be off the cards for 18 months, at least, and it looks as though Los Blancos will be left with the three-time Ballon d’Or winner on their books until the 2017/18 season.

Gareth Bale

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale (GETTY IMAGES)

After the dismissal of Rafael Benitez, the Welshman was believed to be considering his future and agitating for a move away. Since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013, Bale has struggled to settle into his new life in Spain and a move to the Premier League, where he was once so devastating, would make the most sense.

United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has made no secret of his desire to bring a high-profile star of world football to Old Trafford. Bale certainly fits that bill but this ban would block any potential move.

In any case, the 26-year-old winger sounded more committed to his current club and life under new head coach Zinedine Zidane after their 5-0 win against Deportivo la Coruna last weekend, in which Bale scored a hat-trick.

Harry Kane

Tottenham striker Harry Kane (Getty Images)

Reports emerged last week which suggested that Tottenham Hotspur’s striker Harry Kane was being monitored by Real.

As unlikely as they sounded, these reports were well-sourced and there is no reason not to believe that the England international is at least on the club’s radar.

It has also been rumoured that he interests Woodward and, if that interest is genuine, this ban clears the way for a move to Old Trafford.

Robert Lewandowski

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski (GETTY IMAGES)

Last week, The Independent on Sunday revealed that the Bayern Munich striker wants a change of scene and is keen to experience a new league while he is in his prime. United, Manchester City and Chelsea were all alerted, but it was suggested that they would face strong competition from Real and Barcelona.

If Lewandowski is keen to move quickly, this ban would rule out a move to Madrid. Louis van Gaal, meanwhile, is known to be a big admirer of the Poland international.

Saul Niguez

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez has been linked with Manchester United (Getty Images)

The 21-year-old Atletico midfielder has been linked with a move to Old Trafford regularly in the last few weeks, despite his father claiming that he is more than happy to stay at Vicente Calderon. Is he more than happy to stay for the next 18 months, though?

United’s hand may now be forced. A £34million release clause may need to be matched in order for the deal to go through.