Keylor Navas faces two crucial Clásicos
The Costa Rican goalkeeper’s future is up in the air since Courtois joined Real Madrid and the next few weeks will be crucial for him as he seeks to raise his value ahead of a move.
Keylor is fit again and started against Girona in the Copa del Rey, ‘his’ competition. Since Solari took over as coach, the Costa Rican has been relegated to a supporting role behind Courtois, only taking a starting spot in the Copa, meaning every match in the knock-out competition is like a final for him. In total he has a possible three games remaining now: two of which are Clásicos in the semi-final and the final at the Benito Villamarín on 25 May.
Navas likely leaving Real Madrid
Keylor Navas’ situation is complicated. Despite having recently renewed his contract with Real Madrid through to 2021, his intention is to leave the club at the end of the season. A stance Real Madrid fully understands, given that he doesn’t want to be a substitute after being the number one choice for three seasons, in which he won three Champions Leagues.
That’s why the games in the Copa del Rey are so important for Keylor Navas. He’s fully aware that if he can help Real Madrid win the trophy with his performances between the sticks, he’ll find it far easier to find willing suitors come the summer. Despite his impressive history with the club, football is often a short term game, with your latest performances being key to how you are rated in the market. The fact that he probably has two Clásicos to play in should be a boon to Navas if he plays well, meaning as it does he will have the world's attention on him for those games.
Keylor Navas wants a move to the Premier League
Keylor’s goal is to head to the Premier League, as revealed by this newspaper at the start of December. His inner circle are already working on the possibility of a move to England, although the Costa Rican stopper isn’t ruling out other leagues yet. He was of course close to a move to England back in 2015, when Real Madrid’s move to bring in De Gea went badly wrong at the last moment. But for a succulent offer from the Premier to make itself a reality, Keylor knows the Copa del Rey is vital.
