Reports and rumours linking Rangers’ Europa League rivals Real Betis with a move for ex-Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea have been rubbished.
Estadio Deportivo have moved quickly to dispel rumours that Real Betis could move for David de Gea with the Spanish goalkeeper a free agent following his Old Trafford release.
The report claims that sources close to Real Betis have quashed the rumour, with the Spanish side facing something of an injury crisis between the sticks.
Number one goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is back in training but remains a major doubt for the clash with Rangers, whilst second choice Rui Silva was forced off in the weekend’s 5-0 demolition at the hands of Barcelona.
Third choice Fran Vietes had a shocker at the Nou Camp and is now in line to start the opening day Europa League Group C clash with Rangers at Ibrox.
Real Betis have “no intention” to sign David de Gea
According to the Spanish outlet, there is “no intention” on the part of Real Betis to open negotiations with David de Gea with the rumours unsubstantiated and wide of the mark.
Not that it would hold any bearing on the matches against Rangers this season with Manuel Pellegrini already submitting his Europa League squad.
With the deadline for amendments well passed, even if Real Betis did plunge for David de Gea he would not be available for matches in the competition.
It means Rangers look set to face a genuinely inexperiences option in Vietes at Ibrox this Thursday and the Ibrox support will be looking to heap the pressure on the keeper.
Rangers have dropped down into the Europa League after a Champions League humbling at the hands of PSV Eindhoven and now set their sights on qualification from the group.
Coming out of pot one, Rangers face pot two side Real Betis in the opening match of the group stages with clashes against pot three and four sides Sparta Prague and AEL Limassol to come.
Whilst Claudio Bravo is unlikely to make the match, high-profile Betis duo Spanish playmaker Isco and ex-Newcastle United forward Ayoze Pérez should start the game.
