The Spanish outfit has stated that they did as much as they possibly could to sign the goalkeeper before the national deadline closed on Monday.

Real Madrid have claimed they did everything possible to sign goalkeeper David de Gea from Manchester United.

The £29 million deal to sign the Spain international would have seen Keylor Navas go in the opposite direction for around £10m, but the necessary paperwork was not completed before Monday’s midnight CET deadline.

In a written statement on the club’s official website, Madrid have revealed a timeline of events to support their assertion that they could have done nothing more to secure De Gea’s services.

After explaining that United had not agreed to talks relating to a transfer until Monday morning, Madrid say they responded as quickly as possible at every stage of the process.

“Manchester United entered the TMS data from the operation of David de Gea, but not those of Keylor Navas, at 00:00 Spanish time, simultaneously referring to Real Madrid signed transfer contracts,” said the club statement.

“Real Madrid received the full documentation at 00:02 and tried to access the TMS but it was already closed.

“At 00:26 Spanish time the computer system of Fifa TMS made an invitation to Real Madrid to fill in data for the player David de Gea, given that the deadline for registration in England remains open to this day.

“Real Madrid, in the eventuality of a possible contest regarding the transfer of the player, decided to refer the contract to the Professional Football League (LFP), despite knowing that the deadlines had expired.

“In short, the Real Madrid has done everything necessary, and at all times, to implement these two transfers.”

The Madrid statement makes no mention of a potential appeal to the LFP, with the club now believed to have accepted that their quest for De Gea’s signature has come to an end.