Newcastle United are reportedly plotting an audacious January swoop for Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Despite the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma on a free transfer from AC Milan in the past summer transfer window, Keylor Navas has enjoyed the trust of manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Navas has featured in 12 Ligue 1 games so far, keeping four clean sheets in the process. He has played a crucial role in the Les Parisians’ rise to the top of the table, with Pochettino’s side enjoying a healthy 11-point lead.
According to RMC Sport, Newcastle United have made contact with PSG to express their desire of signing Keylor Navas. However, the Ligue 1 heavyweights have no interest in letting their experienced goalkeeper leave in the midst of the season as they attempt to win the coveted Champions League.
After winning three back-to-back Champions League titles and a La Liga title in his five-year spell with Real Madrid, the Costa Rican shot-stopper, 35, signed for Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. He has since made 97 appearances for the Les Parisians, helping the club win the Ligue 1 title in his debut campaign. So far, Navas has won five major honours at Parc des Princes.
Keylor Navas to Newcastle United – A top acquisition for the Magpies?
Newcastle United have already shown signs of backing manager Eddie Howe in the winter transfer window with the signings of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood. Yet, they remain in the market for further reinforcements, as Eddie Howe aims to retain the club’s top-flight status.
The Magpies have the second-worst defensive record in the division, with 43 goals conceded in 20 games. Ex-manager Steve Bruce and Eddie Howe have used three goalkeepers—Freddie Woodman, Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow—this season, but none of them has really managed to impress. The three goalkeepers have combined to just one clean sheet, which came against Burnley in December.
Thus, the Newcastle boss is right in reinforcing the goalkeeping position and has set his sights on Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican is an experienced goalkeeper with a winning mentality, lifting 17 trophies with Real Madrid and PSG combined to date.
With over 400 games at club level and 100 appearances for Costa Rica, there’s no shortage of international pedigree either.
Navas will bring quality, leadership, experience and poise to the Newcastle backline, whilst being a significant upgrade over all the current goalkeepers at the club. Over the years, he has proven to be a safe pair of hands and could just be the lift the Magpies need to escape relegation.
While PSG have ruled out selling Navas in this transfer window, the Toon Army must make another attempt to get the Costa Rican on board.