Cole and more: Twitter reacts as De Gea’s move to Real Madrid from Man United collapses

David De Gea’s much-anticipated move to Real Madrid from Manchester United has collapsed after the necessary paperwork wasn’t submitted in time.

The Spain goalkeeper was expected to complete a £29m move to The Bernabeu in a deal which would see Chile goalkeeper Keylor Navas move to Old Trafford.

According to BBC Sport, the key paperwork didn’t make it to the Spanish Football Federation before La Liga’s 23:00 BST deadline on Monday night.

Here is a selection of the best Twitter reaction from the professionals, past and present, as the drama unfolded on social media last night.

La Liga expert Guillem Balague is on top of the latest developments in the long-running De Gea saga:

The documents did not arrive on time!!!!!! Presentation was ready. All agreed. But as it stands de Gea stays at MUFC!!

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015

It doesn’t take a wild imagination to conjure the thoughts that Alan Tonge is having:

Ha ha. Imagine if LVG has took the fuse out of the fax machine plug and De Gea's transfer falls through 😂

— Alan Tonge (@Alan_Tonge) August 31, 2015

Former Barcelona midfielder Gaizka Mendieta can’t believe a transfer deal has been allowed to collapse in the final minutes of the transfer window despite months of talks:

Months negotiating, magnitude of agent & clubs involved knowing that it'll be done the last day & papers don't arrive in time!? Really!? #🙈

— Gaizka Mendieta (@GaizkaMendieta6) August 31, 2015

United legend Andrew Cole reckons this impassioned Rio Ferdinand plea may have something to do with it:

Did @rioferdy5 delay the paperwork on De Gea move to Madrid??! 😂 https://t.co/AmE00TREGk

— Andrew Cole (@vancole9) August 31, 2015

Retired Liverpool and Manchester City striker Robbie Fowler still expects De Gea to join Real Madrid:

There's absolutely no chance that deal hasn't gone through if real wanted the player,relevant documents will miraculously appear #power

— Robbie Fowler (@Robbie9Fowler) August 31, 2015

Former Liverpool forward Stan Collymore reckons transfer deadline day could replace tv shows like Friends on Comedy Central:

Should start sticking deadline day on the comedy channel.

— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) August 31, 2015

Balague updates us on the biggest transfer mystery since Ander Herrera and his three men in black:

La Liga says the documents did not arrive on time. Fifa will look at the case tomorrow. Both RM and United pushing for it to happen

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015

Manchester City legend Rodney Marsh isn’t being sucked into the drama:

United saying they filed paperwork at 10:59pm BST. Should have filed it at 10:58pm!!

— Rodney Marsh (@RodneyMarsh10) September 1, 2015

Finally, Jan Aage Fjortoft is confident that there are too many powerful people involved for the transfer not to be completed:

1. Man UTD haven't done this on purpose 2. Perez loves his phone-calls 3. De Gea will be Real-player very soon

— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) August 31, 2015