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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published