Iker Casillas would welcome David de Gea to Real Madrid with open and insisted he wouldn’t be anything but increased competition for places in the squad.

The 34-year-old Madrid shot-stopper has come into heavy criticism from both Madrid and Spain fans at separate points over the last couple of hours following a sharp decline in his performances.

In contrast, De Gea’s rise in the last two years has been wonderful and Madrid have subsequently been linked with a move for him as he has only one year left on his contract.

Despite the negative impact it would no doubt have on Casillas’ first-team chances, he’d be delighted if De Gea joined them.

“If De Gea does come here, he’ll be welcomed,” Casillas said.

“Competition is healthy – there is no clause in my contract states that which I have to be first choice. We’ll have to compete for a place like we do with Spain.

“De Gea is a great bloke and a goalkeeper for the present and the future. I can handle pressure and the experience he’s had at Manchester United will have served him well.”

Casillas might have said he’d be delighted with De Gea’s arrival but there’ll be a part of him who hopes he doesn’t move to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

Competition is indeed healthy for any player but there is every chance Casillas will be swept to the sidelines if De Gea joins given how good a goalkeeper he is now aged just 24.