Not sure if you're both joking, but the fax machine thing was a running gag. It was Madrid not uploading their documents on to FIFA's Transfer Matching System in time, when United had. The rumour mill ran all summer long and Madrid only put an official bid in the day before deadline day, and it was a lowball bid to say the least.
De Gea could have signed a pre-contract with Madrid 4 months after that debacle, but he chose to sign a 5 year deal with United instead. They were possibly banking on simply turning his head and him leaving for nothing the following year. They never bid for him again and have now bought Courtois instead. I think it's safe to say they never wanted him that badly, by paying both a fee and losing Navas.