Former Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas is reportedly a shock target for Liverpool, who are looking to sign a goalkeeper in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mi Otra Liga, Liverpool are interested in snapping up Iker Casillas on a free transfer in the summer transfer window. The former Real Madrid captain appears set to end his time with Porto, with his contract due to run out at the end of the season.
Casillas has enjoyed one of the most storied careers of all time, having spent 25 years at boyhood club Real Madrid. At the Bernabeu, the veteran goalkeeper has secured his legendary status, having won five La Liga titles, three triumphs in the Champions League and two Copa del Rey successes.
The same goes for the international level, where Casillas was the captain of the Spain team from 2008-2012 that is often hailed as one of the greatest sides of all time. Over the last three years though, he has been at Porto, having left Real Madrid in the summer of 2015.
But, after being the first-choice goalkeeper for the Portuguese giants for two seasons, Casillas has lost his place to Jose Sa in the current campaign. Therefore, for the longest time it looked like the Round of 16 loss to Liverpool would be the last time he would appear in the Champions League, with reports that he is set to call time on his career when his Porto contract expires.
But, if the report by Mi Otra Liga is to be believed, there might still be life left in the career of the former Real Madrid captain, with Liverpool reigniting their interest in him and weighing up a move to sign him for free in the summer.
For a long time, defensive frailties have been the undoing for Liverpool, who have been one of the most exciting attacking outfits in Europe this season. Simon Mignolet has been highly error prone during his time with the Reds, with Loris Karius not looking like much of an upgrade in his first 18 months at Anfield.
But, over the last six months, Karius has enjoyed a stunning turnaround, and has provided a reliable presence between the sticks for Liverpool, while cementing his place as the first-choice goalkeeper. So, it looks unlikely that Casillas will be able to be an out and out first-choice at Anfield.
But, the move to Liverpool could provide the Real Madrid great an opportunity to extend his career and even continue featuring in the Champions League. For the Reds, this might be an opportunity to provide Karius just the kind of guidance he needs to take his career to the next level.
So, Liverpool’s search for a goalkeeper has turned them towards an interesting direction. Instead of signing a shot stopper in his prime, they might land one who could help Karius become a world class keeper, and it remains to be seen if Casillas indeed ends up making his way to Anfield in the summer.
