Real Madrid have announced the departure of Keylor Navas while also confirming the arrival of Alphonse Areola, who will be the Costa Rican’s replacement.
Real Madrid have made an official statement to confirm that Keylor Navas has called time on his stint at the Bernabeu to join Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. In a separate statement, Los Blancos have also announced that they have reached an agreement with PSG to sign Alphonse Areola on loan for the rest of the season.
Keylor Navas was with Real Madrid for the last half-a-decade, having made his way to the Spanish capital in the wake of an impressive 2014 World Cup campaign. Over the last five years, the Costa Rican had largely been a mainstay in goal for the Merengues, only losing his spot as a regular last season upon the arrival of Thibaut Courtois.
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— Real Madrid C.F. ???? (@realmadriden) September 2, 2019
The return of Zinedine Zidane to the managerial hotseat at Real Madrid ought to have given Navas a glimmer of hope for the 2019-20. But, the Frenchman confirmed Courtois to be his team’s no. 1 for the season ahead.
Subsequently, the 32-year-old understandably decided to consider a move away from the Bernabeu, even though the Real Madrid boss had insisted he had a role to play this season. As a result, the links with PSG appeared last week, with the same reports also suggesting that Alphonse Areola was set to move the other way.
Areola has been with PSG ever since he was a youth footballer, graduating from the club’s academy in 2012. But, the Frenchman has never quite managed to stamp his authority at Parc des Princes, even sharing game time with Gianluigi Buffon last season. A move to Real Madrid, however, might not be the best of career decisions.
With Courtois confirmed as Los Blancos‘ no. 1 for the season, chances are the French international will be largely restricted to appearances in cup games and a few league outings. But, Real Madrid have found a solution to their goalkeeping woes, seeing as there was no option beyond the Belgian once Navas completed his departure, with Andriy Lunin and Luca Zidane out on loan.
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— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) September 2, 2019
The two moves have now been completed, with PSG confirming in an official statement that the 32-year-old has signed a four-year deal with them, while Real Madrid have announced the arrival of Areola on a season-long loan deal. Navas expressed his happiness at joining Les Parisiens.
“I’m really excited to sign for Paris Saint-Germain. After my experience in Spain, I’m coming to France with high hopes. Paris Saint-Germain is a very prestigious club in Latin America and I am keen to be part of the adventure that started several years ago.I will do everything I can to help Paris Saint-Germain win new titles, bringing all my experience and professionalism.”
Navas leaves Real Madrid after a highly illustrious spell, wherein he won 11 accolades, including 3 consecutive UEFA Champions League titles and becomes the second goalkeeper to join PSG on the deadline day, following the arrival of Sergio Rico on loan. As for Areola, it remains to be seen if he can make a splash over the course of the season at the Bernabeu. And so, two new journeys begin.
