Arsenal and Liverpool to battle for Real Madrid ace Keylor Navas
Gunners also target Brazilian playmaker to replace Ozil
Real Madrid’s recent travails could have significance for both Arsenal and Liverpool, with the Premier League pair set “to go head to head in their pursuit of keeper Keylor Navas”, according to the Daily Star.
Reports from Spain say that the Costa Rican gloveman is “unhappy” with life at Real under president Florentino Perez, and is looking for a new club.
Both Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp are monitoring the situation, says The Star, having had their scouts track the 30-year-old for a while. Although he is currently injured, Navas is Zinedine Zidane’s first-choice goalkeeper when available, and the Real coach is said to be concerned by rumours suggesting Navas is unsettled at the Bernabeu.
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It is believed that Navas has not responded well to reports linking Real to Manchester United keeper David de Gea and Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois, and that he is now weighing up his options.
Arsenal have been linked with a number of goalkeepers in recent weeks as they begin the search to replace the ageing Petr Cech, while Liverpool are also reportedly looking to bring in fresh blood to challenge incumbent Simon Mignolet.
Arsenal have also lined up Barcelona star Rafinha to replace Mesut Ozil, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo. The German midfielder appeared typically disinterested in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City. Commenting on the report in Mundo Deportivo, the Daily Express says that the Gunners are planning a move for Rafinha “to replace the playmaking role that Ozil currently fills”.
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