PSG boss responds when asked if Keylor Navas is joining Nottingham Forest

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PSG coach Christophe Galtier has suggested that Keylor Navas may be allowed to leave when quizzed about reports linking the goalkeeper with Premier League big-spenders Nottingham Forest, speaking to Ligue 1.  

If Jesse Lingard, Taiwo Awoniyi and Remo Freuler had the makings of eye-catching, almost marquee signings for a recently-promoted Nottingham Forest outfit last summer, then one of the finest shot-stoppers of his generation threatens to blow every single one of the club’s many, many new signings out of the water. 

Forest’s most unexpected and ambitious deal yet.

Few players in world football have won more than Navas’ 26 trophies. Three Champions League titles among them, from his time at Real Madrid. Always underrated but never appreciated by his own team-mates or coaches; Navas labelled ‘one of the best goalies in the world’ by ex-Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino as recently as 2021. 

And, such is the respect they have for him in the French capital, Pochettino’s PSG successor admits that no one is likely to stand in the 36-year-old’s way if he decides that the time is right for a new challenge. 

Nottingham Forest like PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas

“Keylor is a great competitor. He has been exemplary since the start of the season,” Galtier said when quizzed about those Nottingham Forest rumours. “He was named (our) goalkeeper for the Coupe de France. I have complete confidence in him.  

“Afterwards, there is what he feels. The sports management and the president are listening to what he wants to do. We will see the day after the closing of the transfer window (where his future lies).

“Because of the good man he is and his career, we must respect him and listen to him. Today, no decision has been made.”

Even at 36, Navas is unlikely to accept the role of PSG’s ‘Coupe de France goalkeeper’ lying down; falling behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order. Fabrizio Romano reports that interest from Nottingham Forest is ‘real’. What’s more, Navas is keen to try his hand at the Premier League. 

Though not even someone of his experience and ability is guaranteed a place in Steve Cooper’s XI. Not when Dean Henderson returns from injury, at any rate.