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Real Madrid president plays down potential David De Gea move

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has suggested the club may not make a move for Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea this summer due to the form of Keylor Navas, although he is not ruling out a "galactico" signing.

Madrid came close to signing De Gea at the end of last summer's transfer window in a deal that would have seen Navas move in the opposite direction, but the transfer was not completed in time for the Spanish deadline.

Costa Rica international Navas went on to enjoy an impressive season with Madrid, despite struggling with Achilles tendon problems that mean he will miss next month's Copa America, and Perez hinted that they may keep faith with their current No. 1.

"I am not the one who has to decide," Perez said in an interview with Marca. "I would say it is very difficult to manage two great players in this position."

There has also been speculation over James Rodriguez's future, with the Colombia international failing to make it off the bench during Saturday's Champions League final victory after falling down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane.

James, who has been linked with United, has said he wants to stay at the Bernabeu but Perez gave little away on the club's plans.

"We've had no offer for anyone, nor have we spoken about the future," Perez said. "Everyone goes on holidays now, so we can work without pressure. James arrived late [last summer] and started at a disadvantage. Others were playing well. He is one of the great players we have."

Madrid can sign players this summer, although they are currently appealing a FIFA-imposed ban that would see them unable to bring any players in during the following two transfer windows.

Perez said the European champions, who have already held talks over Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, would be ready to make a move for a top player this summer if the right opportunity arises.

"It is very difficult to bring someone," he said. "I will speak with Zidane. Our obligation is to be the best every year. He will tell me if we can improve somewhere.

"If there is an exciting player we will go for him for sure. It is more difficult [for Barcelona players] due to their release clauses. Abroad you have to reach an agreement."

Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba is another player who has been linked with a move to Madrid, but Perez said the squad is well covered in that position.

"[Pogba] is a great player," he said. "I don't want to talk about him, but I will say that in midfield we have six great players."

Perez also repeated his comments from the weekend that he hopes Cristiano Ronaldo spends the rest of his career at the Bernabeu.

After hinting on more than one occasion during the 2015-16 season that he might be considering leaving this summer, Ronaldo, 31, said last week he hopes to sign a contract extension at Madrid in the near future.

Asked what he thought when he heard Ronaldo say he would like to play on at Madrid until he was 41, Perez said: "That was a figure of speech.

"Our dream is that he retires here at Real Madrid. He is the best player in the world and fits perfectly at the best club in the world. He was Champions League top scorer, had a good La Liga campaign, and deserves to win the [2016] Ballon d'Or.

"We would like him to stay here for many more years. The chance of him leaving is very small, but in this life you can never say anything for sure."