Manchester United have reportedly joined European heavyweights PSG, Porto and Benfica in the race to sign Real Madrid custodian Keylor Navas.
Real Madrid superstar Keylor Navas is set for a summer exit from the Santiago Bernabeu. And Spanish publication AS reports that the Costa Rican has no shortage of suitors with Portuguese giants Benfica and Porto interested in his services. Now, Manchester United have become the latest club to join the hunt for the goalkeeper, with PSG also monitoring his situation.
Navas has been with Real Madrid since 2014, having joined from Levante. The 32-year-old has won three UEFA Champions League trophies and a La Liga title during his time with Los Blancos, but is believed to be on his way out of the club this summer.
Real Madrid signed Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea last summer, with the Belgian becoming the first-choice keeper under Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari. While Zinedine Zidane’s return as the manager in March saw Navas being reinstated in goal, the Frenchman has decided that he will go into the next season with Courtois as his No.1.
Having just made 21 appearances in the 2018-19 campaign, Navas is unlikely to settle for another season on the bench, leading to intense speculations about his exit from Real Madrid. His potential availability has put a number of clubs across Europe on high-alert, with Portuguese giants Benfica and Porto reportedly tabling offers already.
Benfica are looking to add an experienced presence to their goalkeeping department, while Porto are looking to deal with Iker Casillas’ situation. The former Real Madrid captain was diagnosed with a heart condition recently and with him turning 38 years old last month, Navas is being looked at as the successor for the Spaniard.
But, both clubs will likely have to battle with Premier League giants Manchester United. The Red Devils came close to signing Navas back in 2015, when David de Gea almost completed a switch to Real Madrid, only for the move to fall through at the end. The Spaniard could leave this summer though, having rejected a contract offer, with PSG emerging as a potential destination.
In case that happens, OGC Nice’s Mike Maignan has been touted as a potential replacement for de Gea, but Manchester United, according to the report, are open to the idea of signing Navas, given the experience and the winning mentality that he would bring to the table.
A move to Portugal would appeal to Navas, as both Benfica and Porto will be able to offer Champions League football, unlike Manchester United who will be playing in the Europa League next season. However, his €5 million per season wages could be a problem for either Portuguese clubs, which United can easily offer.
In addition to the aforementioned clubs, PSG too are monitoring the 32-year-old and want to sign him if they fail to land de Gea from Manchester United in the summer, while Juventus are also keeping an eye on the Costa Rican.
If there is any truth to the report, there could be a huge transfer battle for Navas’ signature in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen where he ends up, but one thing seems certain – his time at Real Madrid is surely nearing an end.
