31 May 2015

Transfer Boost: Liverpool to activate €15m buyout-clause for 'extraordinary' World Cup star

After a series of superb performances in last summer's World Cup, Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who ultimately ended up signing for Real Madrid. Navas is rotting away on the bench at the Bernabeu, and new reports suggest that the Reds are tracking the 28-year old stopper once again.

According to The Mirror this weekend:

* Liverpool 'want to replace' Simon Mignolet, and are 'planning a move' for Navas.

* Navas has a €15m [£10.5m) buyout clause in his contract, and Liverpool are allegedly willing to activate it.

The story so far:

FEB 2014: The The Mirror reported that LFC scouts had delivered 'rave reviews' about Navas' performances.

MAR 2014: reports claimed the Reds had 'made an enquiry' about Navas, and that Liverpool were 'confident' of sealing a summer deal.

JUL 2014: the Daily Mail claimed that Liverpool were still monitoring Navas, and considering an official bid.

FEB 2015: Multiple reports claimed that Liverpool were 'finalising a deal' to sign Navas.

In December 2014, CONCACAF anointed Navas their 'Player of the Year', but with only eleven appearances for Madrid this season (8 goals conceded in 11 games | 5 clean sheets), he's barely getting the chance to show the kind of form that earned him that accolade.

In February, Navas's agent claimed that the Costa Rican wanted out of Madrid. He told reporters:

"Keylor Navas has told Real Madrid that he wants to leave."

This seemingly conflicts with Navas's own taken on the situation. When asked this week about the possible arrival of David De Gea, he told reporters:

"I just try to do my job the best I can. I'll fight anyone for my place, I don't mind who. I try to respect everyone, but I have faith in what I can achieve going forward"

Prior to signing for Madrid, Navas's performances helped Levante achieve the 5th best defensive record in La Liga, and he notched up 19 clean sheets along the way, which is a stunning achievement. Additionally, if it wasn't for conceding 7 goals in one game against Barcelona, Navas's goals-conceded stats would've been even more impressive.



Levante manager Joaquin Caparras attributed much of his team's success to Navas' superb goalkeeping. He enthused:

“Navas is having a spectacular season. He's the best keeper in the league right now and that is a privilege for us. Other clubs know the situation.”

After Navas's penalty shootout heroics in the World Cup, Costa Rica manager Jorge Luis Pinto went one further, insisting:

"He is one of the best in the world. We trusted him and he was in control during the penalties. He has grown and is an extraordinary man, which was recognised today."

Is Navas an upgrade on Mignolet? At the very least, he'll provide intense competition (which is absolutely vital), and he clearly has the ability to permanently relegate the Belgian to the bench.

Author: Jaimie K


133 comments:

  1. An instant upgrade, not only is he a better keeper, he is actually comfortable with the ball at his feet and has good distribution.

    ReplyDelete
  2. He was very impressive at the World Cup but that's all I have to base an opinion on him. He'll certainly provide stiff completion for Migs and is a significant upgrade on Brad Jones

    ReplyDelete
  3. Competition will do both of the good. Mignolet was way too complacent and still has a long way to go to convince

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes please!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Vyshakh Surreal Rv12:06 am, June 01, 2015

    This is one of the best Transfer gossip that I have heard this summer and frankly it does put some things into perspective.

    Considering the pull for a player to come to LFC, we only have regular playing time to offer.
    No CL, No Top draw "Golden Idol" of a Manager, No Capital (See Alexi Sanchez Saga), No Unbelievable tons of money (Like Che and ManU).
    With this in mind, what we do need is filling positions that NEED Filling!

    1 GK, 1 Proper RB, 1 CDM and One or if possible 2 Proven Strikers.

    NO MORE VERSATILE AM or WINGERS. The competition is BEYOND funny at this point.

    On top of this, we need to seriously look at our fitness regime. If Bale can do the gains he has, Why can't LALLANA? That was my biggest gripe with the guy, GREAT SKILL, Not enough Strength!



    Fix this and we will be pushing for the title next season.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Luciano Vietto, benteke, kovacic and clyne. Thats who we will buy this summer and well play

    ........................mingolet
    Clyne.......skrtel........sakho.....moreno
    ...........................can
    .........kovacic...............hendo
    ......................coutinho
    .......vietto.......................benteke

    ReplyDelete
  7. Personally if I was lfc manager I would get some players who have actually won titles and played in big games. I would 100% buy Nani for free. Hes contract up and hes world class. Just because van gaal says hes aint doesnt mean he is and with 12 goals/8assists this season including 4 goals in Champions league, at 28, nani is in his prime and is an absolute steal. Plus with 4 premier league titles and 1champions league, nani can be the leader on the pitch for most our young players.

    Kolarov, who is 10 times moreno, has won 2 pl titles and also got plenty experience. Being a free agent we have got to buy him, but that would be me.

    Then id sell sterling to man city for 50m, borini balotelli lambert aspas for 30m and buy Vietto 15m, higuain 25m, kondogbia or kovacic 15m.

    Nani, higuain, vietto, kovacic and kolarov would be formidable signings. And all realistic

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd be absolutely thrilled with that. :D

    ReplyDelete
  9. He would make a great number 1 keeper.an upgrade on Mignolet without a doubt.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Another interesting article about FSG:

    http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/rodgers-fsg-how-liverpool-fc-9338768

    If anyone who thinks that FSG won't sack Rodgers just to save a few bob, think again. And FSG won't finch at digging deep into their pockets either.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Was the best goalkeeper in La Liga the season before last. Was absolutely incredible at times. I don't know how he'd deal with the physicality of the Premier League, but I'd be very excited if we signed him.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Unless he is provided with good coverage by defenders he will ultimately struggle. We have good defenders who need to up their game.

    ReplyDelete
  13. LFC must chasing young goalkeeper but not for player same age like Simon Mignolet. Matthew Ryan,Neto and Mattia Perrin is good talent and more youngest.

    If want to sign 27 year old as mignolet,why not Asmir Begovic ?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Just read an article were Navas said he will not leave ??

    ReplyDelete
  15. Is that you in the profile pic?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Would definitely be a good move. Not sure hes Champions League material though but we have to get there first. Penalty killer as Well if I remember from the world cup. We apparently also activated the clause in Viettos contract. Still I doubt there is much truth about this until they've had their end of season review. A new manager will not come in with his budget already spent.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Look at you, posting an article without so much as a whiff of a hint that you knew you were away.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Why the f#€* are we gonna start buying utd's cast off's?
    Nani........for f's sake....

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good read that

    ReplyDelete
  20. 33 of Liverpool’s 62 points (53%) came from the 13 game mid-season unbeaten run, which included scoring 24 goals and conceding 8. That means we took just 29 points from the remaining 25 games, scoring only 28 goals and conceding an alarming 40. That is, at best, lower mid table form from 66% of our Premier League season.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I think signing a goalkeeper is definitely a priority. I admit Mignolet done something which I thought he was not able to do and that is improve his form. It's no coincidence that when defence was settled he improved.


    Still, his distribution is very poor, we need a Reina like GK that can start attacks and counter by pin point passes and throws.


    Seems like we're still in talks in Kovacic, Milner, Ings and we've "allegedly" made a bid for Vietto (£14.2M =20M Euros) but so have Atletico apparently.


    Simeone is the manager that gave Vietto his 1st start at Racing so I fully expect him to go there.


    Really hope that something good comes out of this review. Would be happy for BR to go and replaced by Klopp or Ancelotti.


    We'll see.

    ReplyDelete
  22. That is the form that got Hodgson sacked

    ReplyDelete
  23. And that's why we count points over 38 games

    ReplyDelete
  24. Navas is a very good goalkeeper but it counts for nothing with Buck Rodgers in charge. I feel like a bitchy little swine lately with Rodgers but I have lost all faith in him regarding anyone he signs as they all seem to fall flat on there face. It's either a case of the player isn't good enough to start with or Rodgers isn't good enough to start with. But after £210m+ I believe in most cases it's a bit of both aren't good enough as so many players have failed to make any impact. It's fair to except a few players to fail and a few to take a while to adapt when you sign so many players. but the amount who have failed to make the grade is border line criminal to be honest and how can you trust his decisions now? 3 years later can anyone honestly say he has achieved anything if you do then you are picking at straws for all Buck Rodgers coaching skills he lacks the other ingredients that make him a 'MANAGER'. King Kenny at least won a League Cup what has Rodgers done? 2nd was a great season but how can a team regress so much after spending so much? Rodgers is a good coach but he is not a great manager regardless of what anyone thinks he lacks the know how to take LFC forward and no amount of money will change the fact he is out of his depth. We need a manager who can handle pressure and knows his way around the transfer market and Rodgers clearly doesn't. Blame FSG all you want but surely Rodgers has some say in who we sign other wise Rodgers is just a YES man or a poor judge of talent, Either way neither is acceptable at LFC...Bring in Klopp and let's see what he can do......I am not the only person who sees it this way and after this awful season as much as I try to see the positives in Rodgers the negatives keep rearing their ugly heads and they outweigh any positives...If Rodgers is still incharge next season I will expect nothing more than missed opportunites, failed signings and our best players leaving. I haven't got a crystal ball who really knows 'Rodgers could go on to win the league and all the players he has signed might settle in' but the most likely outcome to keeping Rodgers on is a whole world of disapointment...

    ReplyDelete
  25. lol...good one. You forgot Ings, Milner, Austin and Trippier

    ReplyDelete
  26. Smart deal. Maybe smarter to have kept Reina.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Liverpool fans slated online a player that might come to LFC over one poor game. Aren't we special..

    ReplyDelete
  28. Aren't you special?...

    ReplyDelete
  29. What the hell does that mean?

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think it's pretty self explanatory

    ReplyDelete
  31. http://www.hardballtimes.com/san-diego-padres-1993-fire-sale/
    This link is probably more appropriate

    ReplyDelete
  32. Price notwithstanding, do you rate him higher than Diego Alves?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Seems a bit harsh mate, English is his second language.

    ReplyDelete
  34. You certainly aren't special.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Reina's shot stopping was extremely poor in last few seasons.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Alves is great.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Is Julio Cesar available?

    ReplyDelete
  38. Nani? Oh god i just threw up a little...

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow, great set of comments. When you contribute as much and for as long as orme has, then start criticising.

    ReplyDelete
  40. It does not get any better than this...

    Liverpool transfer news: Reds 'turn attentions to Cardiff City's David Marshall'

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hope Liverpool give Coates a chance.

    ReplyDelete
  42. If we just want to sign a good backup and not a better keeper than Mignolet then we should go for a free players like Boruc...released by Southampton.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Coates lacks pace which is the problem with most of our CB's. I would rather give Ilori a chance. Pace in abundance.

    ReplyDelete
  44. For me, pace is not a priority for CD. And Coates has been exceptional in a relegation threatened team. I have no doubts he will be great if given a chance. Only bad Liverpool game he had was against Oldham. Strange.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Marshall has said he will only move if he is made No 1

    ReplyDelete
  46. Only 10 appearences though... We really don't need anymore injury prone players. And if it's because he simply wasn't picked then we need to ask ourselves why.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I think navas has said he's staying put..

    ReplyDelete
  48. IMO we need at least one CB who can play out from the back. Tried it with Can and unfortunately he is not the quickest either. Lovren, well the least said the better. Skrtel also too slow. Sakho has decent pace but not lightning quick.


    I have seen Ilori in action and he is super quick plus has an eye for a pass too. Still has much to learn but unless he is given a chance we will not know whether he is good enough.

    ReplyDelete
  49. voice of reason1:40 pm, June 01, 2015

    he's staying put after the benitez rumours

    ReplyDelete
  50. Looks like Klopp is indeed taking a break...

    ReplyDelete
  51. Seen no reports. Link?

    ReplyDelete
  52. Nicolas Chamberlain1:51 pm, June 01, 2015

    Boruc already signed for Bournemouth and besides that he is defintely not good enough. I would go for Begovic. We need another GK. When will FSG make a statement on Rodgers' job?

    ReplyDelete
  53. Actually depends on how you interpret 'break'. A couple of months? A year? It's the first time in at least seven years that he won't be at some club for a good portion of pre-season.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Nicolas Chamberlain1:56 pm, June 01, 2015

    http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/social/liverpool-fans-react-to-the-news-jurgen-klopp-is-definitely-taking-a-break-from-football-tweets/?

    ReplyDelete
  55. Review of the season should be this week.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Hopefully tomorrow after end of season 'review'

    ReplyDelete
  57. I find what Klopp said actually a bit vague. First of all, a break for how long? All he can do at the moment is take a break anyway. He doesn't have a job, and he hasn't received any strong offers. Maybe from from the likes of Fenerbahce, but why would he go there? If Liverpool proceeded to sack Rodgers and make an offer to Klopp, there's no way he wouldn't strongly consider it.

    ReplyDelete
  58. On BBC - more to follow it says

    ReplyDelete
  59. The Guardian:

    Jürgen Klopp has announced that he will take a break from management for “the time being”.

    "After seven intense and emotional years, I think it's a good idea to let the numerous memories settle in before I take on a new challenge with my coaching team, refreshed and fully motivated,"

    Says nothing about how long.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Would you like to see Klopp at Liverpool?

    ReplyDelete
  61. Rodgers: Better tackles per game you say, more interceptions per game you say, can actually defend you say - OK I will sell him

    ReplyDelete
  62. Guardian have reported 'for the time being'. That could be a month for all we know.

    ReplyDelete
  63. A couple of weeks ago it was supposedly a 6 month break- but yea nothing concrete yet- looks like Rodgers is staying

    ReplyDelete
  64. That sounds great- you change your name and BR continues with mistakes we hire Klopp..

    ReplyDelete
  65. I am still of the opinion that he will go so we shall see how it pans out...

    ReplyDelete
  66. I think Diego Alves has probably been the best 'keeper in La Liga this season, from what I've seen, so it's tough. I don't think Alves would come to us though. Valencia have Champions League football and are a team on the up.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I would but I think BR will be given another year- my first choice was Simeone but alas not to be

    ReplyDelete
  68. Yes Begovic is more than just a backup. I was suggesting a goalkeeper to replace Jones as backup and not someone who can compete with Mignolet as I don't see Marshall a major upgrade.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Agreed. The fans adore him, too. I enjoy watching Valencia play because of him. Both great 'keepers.

    ReplyDelete
  70. No, it's a cropped version of a publicity still from 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia', an American sitcom. The picture shows Charlie Day who plays Charlie Kelly on the show.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Yeah, or six months at least. Simeone plus Gabi and Griezmann would have been useful.

    ReplyDelete
  72. great show, great character.

    ReplyDelete
  73. Coates can definitely play out from the back.

    ReplyDelete
  74. well that and Hodg looks like a turtle.

    ReplyDelete
  75. News is in all the headlines !

    ReplyDelete
  76. He will take a break until a decent and attractive offer comes in. The media are just blowing it out of the water.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Agreed ,will not be moving !

    ReplyDelete
  78. I just personally doubt that he needs an long, extended break to refresh himself...

    ReplyDelete
  79. Yeah, there's bigger jobs out there for him.

    ReplyDelete
  80. So with Rafa looking bang on for Madrid, there is his chance to prove himself but will most likely be short term unless he wins La Liga or CL. Managing all those ego's is not going to be an easy task. I do not see it ending well but wish him all the best.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Holding out hope that Rodgers doesn't make it to July, Logan?


    My personal guess is that Rodgers gets until at least Christmas. If things are looking bleak (similar to how they were this past December), Klopp steps in.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Yea if Rodgers stays he'll need a strong start to the season or I think he'll be gone by the January transfer window

    ReplyDelete
  83. Name change is only for a season long though ;-)


    If we do not hire Klopp now then he will be at another club, it is that simple. And should BR for some miraculous reason escape the axe FSG will then be looking for a new manager middle of next season as we are going nowhere with Rodgers.

    ReplyDelete
  84. I won't go so far as to say "blowing it out of the water".


    I do think that they are simply reporting what he said. It's not really a "mountain out of a mole-hill" type of situation.


    It certainly is vague, but I get the impression that he's talking anywhere from 6 months to a year.


    There's no reason to make a statement if he's going to be taking time off for 1 month.

    ReplyDelete
  85. The media are trying to imply he'll take an extended sabbatical.

    ReplyDelete
  86. And FSG are willing to take that risk? Give him more money to spend along the way too.


    If FSG are not looking at changing things then it shows that they have given up and once the stadium expansion is complete they will sell to try recoup the money they put.

    ReplyDelete
  87. I love Rafa, but sacking Ancelotti for Rafa...What the f*** Perez?! Why?! The most you can get out of that is a sidewards step. He sacked a manager purely for the sake of it. He's an imbecile.

    ReplyDelete
  88. If you're not holding out hope for that then you're insane. The guy is inept.

    ReplyDelete
  89. Klopp is not going to sit around and wait. He does not have too, not for LFC.


    Changing manager middle of the season is not a good idea, especially if we had to be in the same situation of midtable mediocrity last Christmas.


    FSG will be thinking about these things, well hopefully.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Of course it all depends on what opportunities present themselves...


    But I think it's safe to say that he would know by now what those opportunities would be, otherwise why make a statement at all.


    I can't imagine Klopp would make any sort of statement without doing his homework first.


    Of course, this could also be a negotiating tactic.


    After all, didn't Rodgers outright state that he had no interest in leaving Swansea?

    ReplyDelete
  91. My personal guess is that some have already become accustomed to saying 'it is ok if we get nowhere under Rodgers'.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Your personal guess is incorrect.


    No one wants to see the club lose or not accomplish anything just to save the manager's job... well except for Rodgers' family.

    ReplyDelete
  93. If you do not deliver you get the boot. That is the motto at Madrid when it comes to their managers.

    ReplyDelete
  94. So is that why Perez is so dumb? Got a boot to the head after his first spell in charge of the Madrid administration?

    ReplyDelete
  95. Definitely. I fear that FSG won't back him financially if he stays after tomorrow's review which might hamper our chances of a strong start.

    ReplyDelete
  96. Did we finish 6th in spite of our manager or did we finish 6th because of our manager?


    Did we finish 6th in spite of our players or did we finish 6th because of our players?

    ReplyDelete
  97. Rodgers will be paid out his contract if he is sacked which is most likely going to be a decent amount of cash.

    ReplyDelete
  98. He's only 47, so I imagine he'd be terribly bored without any football.

    ReplyDelete
  99. The players which where signed by whom, picked by whom, left on the bench by whom and asked to follow instructions on the pitch by whom?


    Last match of the season? Who's idea was it to play two attacking midfielders to lead the attack?

    ReplyDelete
  100. I agree that he doesn't have to. No one is saying he has to do anything.


    It seems that he's choosing to. As Nick said below, that may change depending on what opportunities present themselves. And in my opinion, Klopp's statement is either a negotiating tactic, or simply a way to say that he's legitimately taking a break.


    And I agree that changing manager middle of the season is not typically a good idea. However, that's mainly because there are typically not any good candidates available at that time of year.


    In this case, if Klopp is available, that would make an exception to the idea.


    And I agree that FSG will be thinking about these things.


    Would you look at that... we're agreeing on something?!?!?

    ReplyDelete
  101. Ancelotti only won four trophies in his two seasons there.

    ReplyDelete
  102. fascinating..thank you for your insight..

    ReplyDelete
  103. good one...well done

    ReplyDelete
  104. self righteous posts grate me

    ReplyDelete
  105. I agree with everything you're saying...


    But the players still need to have some sort of accountability in the results (both positive and negative)

    ReplyDelete
  106. He wouldn't completely know. For example, nobody except FSG know what will happen to the Liverpool manager position, so why would he know? He said he's taking a break until further notice, IMO he's just inviting clubs to present their offers. That's where I think you're right about the tactic. There was absolutely nothing concrete in what he said that would actually deter clubs from approaching him in the near future because 'it would be a waste of time'.

    ReplyDelete
  107. Redriise - do not insult other posters. This is out of order, and totally unnecessary. Any further posts like this and you'll be banned. Attack the argument, not the person. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  108. I will emphatically say because of our manager. Rodgers. If we're going to go down the route of blaming players, then we need to remind themselves a) who bought the players, and b) who's job it is to keep them motivated.

    ReplyDelete
  109. Loges, that's all he can do at the moment though? Sitting around and waiting is the only option. He's not just going to go door knocking, he knows clubs will come for him.

    ReplyDelete
  110. I always feel sorry for managers who get sacked, then I remember how much f***ing money they earn.

    ReplyDelete
  111. get over yourself....sh*te website anyway..bye

    ReplyDelete
  112. Fergie went 26 years straight FFS.

    ReplyDelete
  113. But let's sack him because, you know, there's heaps of better and more successful guys out there hey!

    ReplyDelete
  114. If we do, then Jesus is defo real.

    ReplyDelete
  115. The whisky helped, admittedly.

    ReplyDelete
  116. At least Klopp has his cervezas

    ReplyDelete
  117. Let's not jump to conclusions or anything

    ReplyDelete
  118. Does he get it at the bar(ley)? That was terrible, sorry. Looks like I'm posting it anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  119. Yup, all of whom are less successful and not better.

    ReplyDelete
  120. Perhaps but that depends on if there are any clauses in his contract, but I can't speak to that either way.

    ReplyDelete
  121. Only 10 million pounds or so. He might have to resort to working in 3700AD.

    ReplyDelete
  122. That's fine, you're certainly entitled to your opinion.

    In my opinion, there is a fair share of blame to go around between the manager and the players.


    The manager certainly is at least partly responsible for the transfers (simply based upon his role in the committee), and certainly to keep them motivated.


    However players still need to play, still need to earn their keep, and ultimately still need to motivate themselves.


    There are certain players who were put in positions to fail (namely Balotelli), and I think the manager is mostly to blame for that.

    ReplyDelete
  123. To stay B R will have to work onder a Director of Football such as Ancelloti - te will have to lump it or leave

    ReplyDelete
  124. Mate, if you are constantly being thrown from pillar to post i.e. Sterling. Markovic, Lallana, Can, Ibe and playing the likes of Gerrard in a position which he in no shape or form is suited to then what do you expect?


    Changing tactics and formations 4 times in a match. Not using players to their strengths and the list goes on.


    The last match of the season showed that the players had enough. They did not want to play for their manager and anyone who wants to disagree then so be it.

    ReplyDelete
  125. Kenny and Hodgson made a killing off FSG.

    ReplyDelete
  126. How many people will earn £10m in their lifetime?


    Poor Rodgers.

    ReplyDelete