28 January 2023 , 17:21
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Keylor Navas is closing in on a move to Nottingham Forest, days after snubbing the chance to team up with Cristiano Ronaldo again.
The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper has seen his playing time dramatically reduced since the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma. Therefore, he is open to leaving the Parc des Princes with a number of teams said to be interested.
Al-Nassr were one potential suitor, with Ronaldo’s new team in the market for a keeper after David Ospina suffered an elbow injury. Marca reported that the Saudi giants offered the Costa Rican up to £4million for the remainder of the season.
However, that deal wasn’t signed off with Al-Nassr instead turning to Argentine Agustin Rossi. Navas could have lined up alongside his former Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo in Riyadh, who he inadvertently punched in a recent friendly.
Navas was in goal for PSG when they made the trip to the Saudi capital for a money-spinning friendly against a select XI from the country’s top flight. The game marked Ronaldo’s first in the country and he scored twice during a pulsating encounter which ended 5-4 to the French champions.
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But his goalscoring exploits came with a price after Navas came out to punch a ball in the first half, only to hit the striker in the face. Ronaldo spent several minutes on the ground before returning to action sporting a nasty black eye.
Keylor Navas caught Cristiano Ronaldo during the recent friendly match with PSG (Hussein Malla/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Navas is now primed for a Premier League switch after agreeing terms with Forest, where he will deputise for injured Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson. PSG boss Christophe Galtier alluded to Navas’ impending transfer departure, explaining: “Because of the man and because of his career, we must respect him, and we must listen to him.”
Ronaldo’s frustrations at not linking up with his old colleague will have only heightened this week, after Al-Nassr were dumped out of the Saudi State Cup. The 37-year-old had the chance to put his new side into the final, but they were beaten 3-1 by Nuno Espirito Santo’s Al-Ittihad.
Rudi Garcia admitted that Ronaldo’s integration hasn’t gone as smoothly as hoped, with issues that need to be ironed out. “It is very important that the players play normally and don't always try to give Cristiano the ball,” the Al-Nassr boss said.
Al-Nassr were beaten 3-1 by Al Ittihad on Friday, with Ronaldo unable to score his first goal (AFP via Getty Images)“I told them they had to make the right decisions on the pitch. Obviously, when Cristiano or Anderson Talisca are alone and ask for the ball, we have to give them the ball. These two players are capable of making a difference.”
He also singled out Ronaldo for missing a gilt-edged chance during the game, adding: "One of the things that changed the course of the match was Cristiano's missed opportunity in the first half.”
Al-Nassr are next in action next Friday when they take on Al Fateh with Ronaldo hoping to get off the mark and keep his side at the top of the table.