European Champions Real Madrid are considering offering Keylor Navas to Premier League Champions Chelsea as a part of a deal for Thibaut Courtois.
According to a report in Spanish publication Don Balon, Real Madrid have conceded defeat in their pursuit of Manchester United’s David De Gea and are now choosing to focus on Chelsea’s first choice shot-stopper, whose agent recently confirmed Real Madrid’s interest in an interview.
The report goes on to state that in a bid to lure the Belgian to the Santiago Bernabeu, the European Champions are considering adding the 30-year-old Costa Rican international Keylor Navas to sweeten the offer in what would most likely be a player plus cash deal.
Courtois’ agent Christophe Henrotay, recently told Belgian publication Sport Magazine: “Obviously the biggest clubs are interested in Thibaut, and that includes the reigning European champions. He is a goalkeeper who wins you games, wins you trophies.”
Henrotay went on to add: “I meet regularly with Real Madrid’s directors and Thibaut’s situation is evaluated. My role is to keep him informed of the situation.” This revelation comes mere days after reports of Chelsea’s negotiations with Courtois over a new contract reaching an impasse.
The 25-year-old, who won the Premier League Golden Glove award for last season, reportedly wants to be amongst the club’s highest paid players and wants pay parity alongside Romelu Lukaku, should the striker return to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Navas, since joining Los Blancos from Levante in the summer of 2014, has made 97 appearances for the club and in that time, has helped them win 6 major trophies – including back to back Champions League trophies and their first La Liga title since 2012.
However, isn’t considered to be in the same level as that of Courtois or De Gea, and Real Madrid’s interest in De Gea, who was widely considered as Iker Casillas’ natural heir, or their far more recent links with Courtois have always persisted and never seemed to die down.
Courtois has previously stated his love for the Spanish capital, where he spent 3 years on loan with Atletico Madrid. However, it is highly unlikely that Conte would be willing to let to go their star keeper, without securing a replacement of similar quality – a near impossible task.
The Blues will likely hand the former KRC Genk shot-stopper the contract he wants in a bid to keep him in London, and the chance to compete in the Champions League once again after a season away will also be an added boost in getting him to stay at Stamford Bridge.
