Real Madrid to offer Keylor Navas new contract – Reports

Despite being heavily linked with a move for Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid are set to offer under-fire Keylor Navas a new contract. The Costa Rican has expressed his desire to stay at the club and Lopetegui seems to be an admirer of the 31-year-old, who has been at the club since 2014.

In fact, Lopetegui had even tried to sign the player multiple times at Porto. Contract negotiations between Navas and Madrid had started even before the 2018 World Cup, and it looks to have been fruitful, with the Spanish giants ready to offer him a new 2-year deal. Navas already has two years left on his current deal which means he would be contracted to the club for four more years, until he turns 35.

Navas has had a mixed bag of sorts at Madrid with a few stellar showings scattered in between moments of madness. As a result, Los Blancos stepped up their interest in Courtois, and according to reports, even agreed personal terms with the Belgian. It remains to be seen who the first choice keeper is if and when Courtois arrives, especially with Andriy Lunin also in the mix. Kiko Casilla is also a part of the squad, which would leave Madrid with 4 possible options to choose from.

Navas made 27 appearance for Madrid last season in La Liga, producing 83 saves and keeping 7 clean sheets. That amounts to a total of around 3 saves per match. However, he has often been found out during set piece situations and he is not the most threatening presence in the air, although his shot-stopping abilities are second to none in Spain.

A contract extension would be just reward for a player who has worked tirelessly throughout his Madrid career.