Navas has been Madrid’s undisputed number one for last three seasons since inheriting the number 1 jersey from Casillas. With Costa Rican International between the sticks, Madrid has won one La Liga title and an astonishing three Champions League titles in last four seasons. In the process, they also became the first side in the modern era to retain the Champions League crown. Navas has been an integral part of Real’s greatest period of success in last 70 years.
The Costa Rican goalkeeper has always been a target of critics despite the unprecedented success in Madrid. His blunders against Juventus and Bayern Munich in Champions League last season have been heavily criticized by fans and critics alike. With Real now signing World Cup golden glove winner Thibaut Courtois, it is highly unlikely that Navas will retain the Number one jersey. At most he is likely to get the nod in domestic cup competitions and some inconsequential European fixtures.
Navas has vowed to stay at the Bernabeu and fight for his place in the team. But considering Courtois’s all-round game, previous experience in Spain and his performances for Chelsea in last 4 years, it is highly improbable for Navas to get regular football at Real Madrid again.
Former West Ham goalkeeper Hislop believes Liverpool should snap up Navas. Liverpool are said to be in the market for a new man between the sticks ahead of the new season.
Hislop is a big admirer of Navas, who has won 10 honours during his four years at Real.
“This makes a whole lot of sense,” he said of Courtois moving to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Real Madrid, by all accounts, have shifted their attentions to Thibaut Courtois after being frustrated in the transfer market in trying to get [Manchester United’s] David De Gea.
“I think during the course of this World Cup Courtois’ stock has gone up, De Gea’s gone down.
“This makes a whole lot of sense for me. This also ties in with (Liverpool).
“If Courtois goes to Real Madrid, Keylor Navas is in play and you know how highly I think of Keylor Navas.
“That is an answer I’d go for all day long in terms of filling that void for Liverpool”
Meanwhile Thibaut Courtois said he had fulfilled a childhood dream in moving to the Spanish giants from Chelsea despite spending three years on loan at rivals Atletico, and revealed he had turned down bigger offers from other clubs.
“Everyone who knows me knows how hard I’ve worked to get here, and I’m proud to be at the best club in the world. I’ve given my best throughout my career to get here, this was my childhood dream, to step on to this pitch in Madrid’s colours,” the Belgium international told a news conference on Thursday.
“I received better paid offers but I wanted to be in the best club in the world and be close to my children. Once Madrid’s interest was clear I had no doubts that I wanted to be here.”
Courtois, 26, signed for Madrid from Chelsea on Wednesday for a reported 35 million euros after winning two Premier League titles as well as the FA Cup and League Cup in England.