Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas reveals heartache over collapsed move to Manchester United on transfer deadline day 

  • Keylor Navas was set to join Manchester United on transfer deadline day
  • Costa Rican would have signed with David de Gea going to Real Madrid
  • Navas was in a waiting room in Barajas Airport expecting to board a flight
  • But the 28-year-old believes the collapse of the move was a sign from God
  • Navas on verge of setting new club record number of clean sheets in a row
  • This week's Fantasy Football bonus transfer code is ramsey12 

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has revealed he cried when his move to Manchester United fell through, but insists he never wanted to leave the Spanish capital.

The Costa Rica international was set to head to Old Trafford as part of a deadline day swap deal on 31 August, which would have seen David de Gea going the other way, until paperwork complications scuppered the trade.

After a public dispute between the clubs over who was to blame for the debacle, De Gea has now signed a new deal at United and Navas is focused on Los Blancos.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas (centre) cried when his move to Manchester United collapsed

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas (centre) cried when his move to Manchester United collapsed

David de Gea's (above) move to Real Madrid fell through meaning Navas remained in the Spanish capital

David de Gea's (above) move to Real Madrid fell through meaning Navas remained in the Spanish capital

'I cried that night when I found out I was staying, it was a build-up of emotions. I didn't want to leave, Madrid is my home,' Navas told Spanish radio station Cadena COPE.

He added: 'I never wanted to leave Real Madrid. My agent told me to be alert to my phone. We had to go to Barajas, although I never actually got on a plane, I was in a waiting room.

'I was in the airport waiting on what I'd be told to do. Every five minutes, the situation would change. I thought that if God wanted me to leave Madrid, it would be for the best, but he didn't want me to and I'm still here.'

Navas joined Real Madrid in 2014 after a superb run of form at the World Cup made him a target for many of Europe's top clubs.

Navas had to usurp Iker Casillas at the Bernabeu last season, but the veteran joined Porto in the summer

Navas had to usurp Iker Casillas at the Bernabeu last season, but the veteran joined Porto in the summer

Navas has impressed so far this term, keeping five straight clean sheets for Rafa Benitez's side

Navas has impressed so far this term, keeping five straight clean sheets for Rafa Benitez's side

Navas is expected to start for Rafa Benitez's (left) side once more in goal against Athletic Bilbao
Karim Benzema (top) and Cristiano Ronaldo are put through their paces during Real training

Navas is expected to start for Rafa Benitez's (left) side once more in goal against Athletic Bilbao  

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) controls the ball during Real's training session on Tuesday

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) controls the ball during Real's training session on Tuesday

The 28-year-old was one of three goalkeepers shortlisted for the Golden Glove award in Brazil, but he found it hard to usurp Iker Casillas at the Bernabeu last season.

With Real Madrid's summer-long pursuit of De Gea it looked like he would never get a chance in Madrid, but he is now determined to make his mark - despite putting pen to paper with United less than a month ago.

'I signed the Manchester United contract on a stretcher at Valdebebas while I had my medical, but I want to write my own story at this club and win everything this season. We have things to improve, but we're on the right path,' he said.

Navas is on the verge of breaking a club record for the number of minutes without conceding a goal 

Navas is on the verge of breaking a club record for the number of minutes without conceding a goal 

Should Navas keep a clean sheet in the first 71 minutes against  Bilbao he will overtake Miguel Angel (left)

Should Navas keep a clean sheet in the first 71 minutes against Bilbao he will overtake Miguel Angel (left)

In a further twist of fate, Navas is now set to break a club-record that has stood for 40 years. 

The Costa Rican has kept a clean sheet in each of his five appearances this season, and should his defence not be breached for the first 71 minutes of his next game against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, he will eclipse a record set by Miguel Angel during the 1975-76 season.

While Navas is closing in on Angel's record of 431 minutes, he is still some way short of overtaking Barcelona's Claudio Bravo, who set the La Liga record only last campaign after going 754 minutes without conceding a goal.

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