Real Madrid's swoop for River Plate goalkeeper Augusto Batalla appears to shut the door on a move for David de Gea.

The Manchester United goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Real this summer.

The Daily Express says Madrid were chasing De Gea all January and reportedly had a big-money bid rejected by the Old Trafford club.

It was expected transfer negotiations would be reopened in July when Madrid have more time to structure an offer and United freedom to find a replacement.

But that deal now appears unlikely after River Plate president Rodolfo D'Onofrio confirmed his Argentina U-20s stopper Batalla will join Real on a one-year loan.