The transfer market is a fascinating and often unpredictable beast. Every year, top football clubs around the world buy and sell players in an effort to strengthen their squads and achieve success on the pitch.
One of the most surprising moves in recent years has been Real Madrid’s decision to sell goalkeeper Keylor Navas. In this article, we’ll explore why Real Madrid decided to part ways with one of their most successful players in recent history.
Navas’ Success at Real Madrid
Navas joined Real Madrid in 2014 from Levante, where he had established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga. Despite doubts about his ability to succeed at one of the biggest clubs in the world, Navas quickly proved his worth at Real Madrid.
During his five seasons at the club, Navas won three consecutive Champions League titles and played a key role in each triumph. He was also instrumental in helping Real Madrid win the La Liga title in 2017, their first league triumph since 2012. Navas’ performances were consistently outstanding, and he quickly became a fan favorite.
The Arrival of Thibaut Courtois
Despite Navas’ success at Real Madrid, rumors began to circulate in 2018 that the club was interested in signing Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea. Courtois had established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in Europe during his time with Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
In August 2018, Real Madrid completed the signing of Courtois for a reported fee of €35 million. The arrival of Courtois put Navas’ future at the club into doubt, as it seemed unlikely that two top-level goalkeepers would be content with sharing playing time.
Navas’ Departure
Despite speculation that Navas would seek a move away from Real Madrid following the arrival of Courtois, the Costa Rican goalkeeper remained with the club for the 2018-19 season. However, he was limited to just 10 appearances in all competitions, with Courtois firmly established as the first-choice goalkeeper.
In August 2019, Real Madrid announced that they had sold Navas to Paris Saint-Germain for a reported fee of €15 million. The move came as a surprise to many Real Madrid fans, who had grown to love Navas during his time at the club.
Why Did Real Madrid Sell Navas?
There were several factors that contributed to Real Madrid’s decision to sell Navas. One of the main reasons was their desire to establish Courtois as their long-term first-choice goalkeeper. The club had invested heavily in Courtois, and they wanted him to be their undisputed number one.
Another factor was Navas’ age. At 32 years old, he was approaching the latter stages of his career, and Real Madrid may have felt that it was time to start planning for the future. By selling Navas and bringing in a younger backup goalkeeper in Alphonse Areola, Real Madrid were able to maintain a strong squad while also planning for the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Real Madrid’s decision to sell Keylor Navas was not an easy one. The Costa Rican goalkeeper had been a key player for the club during his five seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu and had played a crucial role in their recent success.
However, with Thibaut Courtois firmly established as their first-choice goalkeeper and Navas approaching the latter stages of his career, it made sense for Real Madrid to sell him and plan for the future. Only time will tell whether this decision was the right one or not.