David De Gea in Spanish squad as Del Bosque hopes for end to Manchester United transfer saga

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has included David De Gea in his 23-man squad even though the keeper has not played a single game for Manchester United in the new campaign due to the speculations linking him with a move to Real Madrid. The Spanish boss says he is aware of the goalkeeper's unstable position at Old Trafford but hopes it will "be resolved" as soon as the transfer window closes.

Spain will host Slovakia on 5 September in a Group C European Championship qualifier before a game against Macedonia three days later. Del Bosque has also named De Gea's team-mate, Juan Mata and Chelsea duo Diego Costa and Cesar Azpilicueta after the three players had recently been left out of his plans.

Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro Rodriguez, Manchester City star David Silva and Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla complete the list of eight Premier League players in Del Bosque's squad. Mata and Azpilicueta featured at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil but have since fell behind other players in the pecking order. Meanwhile, Costa also missed the previous games against Costa Rica and Belarus in June because Del Bosque believed he was not fully match-fit due the recurrent hamstring problems that has plagued the striker in his debut season at Stamford Bridge.

Asked about the decisions to call De Gea despite being out of Louis van Gaal's current plans, Del Bosque said: "We have found no reason not to bring De Gea, beyond his personal situation, which I hope will be temporary and to be resolved on 1 September," Del Bosque was quoted by AS.

"He is the keeper that alongside (Iker) Casillas will defend the Spanish sticks for many years. It's true that he hasn't had the amount of playing time in official competition that is usually required but we're at the start of the season,"

"Almost all of the games the players have played so far have been friendlies and he has been active; he has been training and he's ready to play. At this point, it's not such a huge deal that he's not playing".

De Gea has been left out of United's games this season due to the speculations linking him with a move to Real Madrid. Van Gaal, however, claimed last week the club was not likely to sell him before the transfer window closes. "I think when Manchester United wants a player he shall come, besides when a club isn't selling. It is the same with us. We are not selling de Gea," the manager insisted.

But on Friday 28 August the Mirror claimed that a deal before the end of the transfer window may eventually happen. The reports claimed that even though United have been demanding £35m ($53.9m) a bid of around £30m could see De Gea finally make his desired move to the Bernabeu.