Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has ruled out an exit for goalkeeper Keylor Navas: “I cannot imagine the team without him.”
The Costa Rican has been behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order for the majority of last season while Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine, had also been selected ahead of the Costa Rican.
Zidane and Andriy Lunin have subsequently both left Los Blancos on loan deals, but Navas was said not to be keen on spending another season playing second fiddle to the Belgian.
“I cannot imagine the team without Keylor Navas, I don't contemplate his exit,” Zidane told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Friday, as cited by Marca.
“He has always been an important player for us. Keylor hasn't told me he wants to leave. He is here and the outside is something which he cannot control.
“He is happy here and wants to show that he can play here. He is a professional and I will count on him. Until matchday two he will talk a lot, but I know that Keylor is going to bring us a lot this season.”
Reports had suggested Paris Saint-Germain were already in negotiations for the goalkeeper, although Zidane’s comments have poured cold water on the news.
The 32-year-old had started just 11 La Liga matches last campaign although seven of them arrived since Zinedine Zidane returned in March, bringing hope that he could have more opportunities this season.
However, multiple reports have suggested that the experienced goalkeeper has been told he is not part of Madrid’s plans next season.
Navas joined Madrid from Levante in the summer of 2014 and has won three Champions League titles with the club.
