Keylor Navas: Inter, Arsenal, Roma among possible suitors
Real Madrid have reportedly told the Costa Rica international that he will be allowed to leave this summer and there are no shortage of options for the keeper.
Keylor Navas has reportedly been informed that he is surplus to requirements at Real Madrid and that he will be allowed to leave the Bernabéu this summer after five seasons at the club.
Navas joined Madrid from Levante in 2014 after an eye-catching World Cup for a fee of 10 million euros and has helped the side to three Champions League titles and a LaLiga triumph during his Bernabéu career but despite being one of the keeper’s staunchest defenders during his first spell at the helm Zinedine Zidane has apparently settled on Thibaut Courtois as his number one for the 2019-20 campaign.
Andriy Lunin is expected to replace Navas as Real’s number two next season after a year on loan at Leganés, with Luca Zidane retaining his position as the senior side’s number three.
Navas will be given a send-off next weekend when Real welcome Betis to the Bernabéu but will then have to start looking for a new club, which in all likelihood will be an easy enough assignment for the 32-year-old with several top European sides having question marks in that area ahead of the new campaign and the Costa Rica keeper available at a bargain price as his contract runs out next summer.
Manchester United
David de Gea is a target for PSG and has not enjoyed the best of seasons at Manchester United, although he has been faced with a significant workolad at Old Trafford given the deficiencies in other areas of the pitch. Should the Spain keeper decide to move on, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be left with Sergio Romero and Lee Grant. A keeper of Navas’ stature would be of interest and it is not out of the question that Real could make an inquiry for long-term target De Gea with the Costa Rica keeper included as part of any deal.
Roma
Following Ederson’s departure to Manchester City Roma signed Sweden keeper Robin Olsen from Copenhagen but he has not proven to be as solid a wall as the Brazilian, conceding 58 goals in 35 appearances for the Serie A side this season. Behind Olsen are Antonio Mirante and Daniel Fuzato, neither of whom are likely to be entrusted with the number one shirt for 2019-20.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s goalkeeping issues have been exacerbated by the retirement of Petr Cech and the irregularity of Bernd Leno. Unai Emery is familiar with Navas from his tenure at Sevilla and has a very limited budget to work with this summer, making the Real keeper an attractive prospect.
Marseille
The Ligue 1 side have four keepers on the books, two promising youngsters (Romain Cagnon, 21, and Florian Escales, 23) and two veterans, Steve Mandanda (34) and Yohann Pelé (36), who have shared sticks duty between them this season. A Champions League winner with World Cup experience would fit the bill nicely.
Inter Milan
Inter are looking to add experience to their side this summer to challenge in Europe next season and are currently fourth in Serie A with a game in hand (at home against Chievo on Monday evening) over their rivals for a Champions League place. Samir Handanovic jhas been in excellent form for Inter but has no genuine competition for his place, something which Navas would provide while also adding Champions League nous to Luciano Spaletti’s squad.