Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Keylor Navas, Denis Cheryshev Rumours

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has revealed he cried when he was denied the chance to move to Manchester United in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

The Costa Rican stopper described his emotions when news his swap deal with United's 'keeper David De Gea had collapsed emerged. Speaking during an interview given to Spanish radio station Cadena COPE (h/t talkSPORT.co.uk), Navas explained exactly how events unfolded:

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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.

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.

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Expanding on the issue, the one-time Levante ace even detailed just how far along his move to Old Trafford had progressed before the plug was unceremoniously pulled: "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."

Jon Super/Associated Press

Navas is certainly doing his bit to help Los Blancos win this season's La Liga title. He has tended goal as a key member of back five that's been breached just once in six league matches so far this campaign.

Madrid's stingy defence owes a lot to Navas' performances. During the club's recent 0-0 home stalemate with Malaga, per BBC Sport, Los Merengues needed heroics from Navas to preserve a clean sheet.

His pivotal moment came when he rebuffed a powerfully struck free-kick from midfield man Recio, according to ESPN's Dermot Corrigan:

The save was another reminder that although they missed out on De Gea, Los Blancos still boast a quality player between the sticks. Writing for FourFourTwo.com, Rahul Kalvapalle explained how the Madrid faithful have warmed to the stopper who had a set a record of "534 minutes" without conceding a goal to start the new season:

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Not only does he pull off spectacular, highlight-reel reflex saves, he also looks assured when claiming aerial balls and organising his defense. Such all-round displays haven’t gone unnoticed at the Bernabeu, where the fans – perhaps weary of the tension and division that marked the final seasons of Casillas’ reign – have thrown their collective support behind the humble and likeable Navas.

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Navas' form strikes at the heart of a common tension within Madrid's transfer policy. The club's insistence on snaffling up the game's biggest stars often leads to good players being needlessly forced out to make way.

It would have happened to Navas had De Gea made the move back to the Spanish capital. Now, though, Los Merengues can be happy with the No. 1 they had to settle for.

If Madrid don't manage to capture the major prizes this season, it won't be because of the man at the back.

Denis Cheryshev Wanted by Liverpool

Premier League side Liverpool remain keen on Madrid's wantaway young attacking midfielder Denis Cheryshev. That's according to Spanish publication AS via Italian website Tutto Mercato Web (h/t Squawka's James Cannon).

The report also indicates the Reds face competition from Madrid's La Liga rivals Valencia. What's clear is how 24-year-old Cheryshev's days at the Santiago Bernabeu appear numbered.

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

There's simply too many quality players ahead of the Russian playmaker in the pecking order. Despite his own comfort on the ball, the player who was on loan at Villarreal last season can't match the technical quality of schemers such as Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Isco.

His case hasn't been helped by the decision to sign Mateo Kovacic this summer. The 21-year-old Croatian is another ball-playing maestro who can link every area of the team together.

It's also worth noting how Benitez is giving game time to defensive midfielder Casemiro this season. On loan at Porto last term, the Brazilian offers rare tenacity in a midfield otherwise defined by forward-thinking qualities.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

In this crowded field, there's just no obvious place for Cheryshev or even the chance of earning valuable minutes to further his development.

Navas has turned his Madrid career around, but don't expect Cheryshev to do the same. As for the 'keeper, he could soon make Los Blancos eventually forget the idea of luring De Gea back to Spain's top flight.