Real Madrid’s next transfer could be sealed next week according to the man who is a hot tip to become the club’s new goalkeeper, Costa Rican international Keylor Navas.
The 27-year-old Levante shot-stopper further enhanced an already burgeoning reputation with a series of eye-catching performances at the World Cup, especially when he made a succession of spectacular saves in Los Ticos’ quarter final against the Netherlands, which resulted in a penalty shootout defeat after an eventful 0-0 draw.
Navas was already on the radar of a number of La Liga clubs following his consistent excellence for Levante over the last couple of seasons.
Earlier in the summer he was linked with Atletico Madrid as the reigning Spanish champions searched for a successor for returning Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois, but he now appears destined instead for the Bernabeu.
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Los Blancos are prepared to pay the ¤10 million (Dh49.3m) buy-out clause to free Navas from his contract with Levante as they seek a long-term replacement for veteran club captain Iker Casillas.
Speaking during a holiday in his native Costa Rica, Navas struggled to conceal his excitement at the impending deal as he said: “It’s around the corner.
“I would love to say more but I don’t know for sure yet. We hope that next week it will all be sorted, so that I and my family can calm down a little and tell everyone where our new home is to be.”
Earlier in the week, Levante president Quico Catalan appeared resigned to losing his goalkeeper as he admitted: “He’s a top goalkeeper and we are in conversations that could bear fruit next week. But I don’t decide what happens at other clubs. Wherever he goes he will triumph.”
The completion of the deal with Navas would almost certainly lead to the departure of last season’s league goalkeeper, Diego Lopez, who is wanted by Monaco after their plans to sign Barcelona’s Victor Valdes collapsed due to injury.
Navas would therefore go into a direct competition with skipper Casillas, who has only played in two league games in the last 18 months after losing his place under former boss Jose Mourinho.
Navas is likely to be Madrid’s final summer addition, although a move for Colombian striker Radamel Falcao remains a slight possibility if the Monaco star can prove he has fully recovered from the injury which ruled him out of the World Cup.
But with the futures of Angel Di Maria, Sami Khedira, Asier Illarramendi and Isco still to be decided, it promises to be another busy few weeks at the Bernabeu.
