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Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas says the signing of Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois has not affected his desire to remain at the triple European champions as he emphatically ruled out leaving the club in order to be assured of first team football.
"Tell everyone loud and clear, I have as much enthusiasm for leaving Madrid as I do for dying," Navas told reporters after Real's 2-1 victory over AS Roma in a friendly at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey on Wednesday.
The Costa Rica international joined Real in 2014 and has helped them win a remarkable three consecutive Champions League crowns between 2016 and 2018 as well as lifting the La Liga title in 2017.
The keeper's long term future has often been in doubt, however. He was on the verge of joining Manchester United in 2015 when Real's pursuit of David de Gea fell through on transfer deadline day, while the club also failed to sign Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga last January from Athletic Bilbao.
Navas's status as Real's number one is now seriously threatened by the arrival of Courtois, who was awarded the Golden Glove for being the best goalkeeper at the 2018 World Cup and signed from Chelsea on Wednesday for a reported 35 million euros ($40.59 million).
Chelsea confirm Kovacic season-long loan deal
Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic has joined Chelsea on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday.
Kovacic's arrival is part of the deal which saw Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois join Real on Wednesday on a six-year contract. Real will pay an initial 35 million euros ($40.6 million) for the Belgian goalkeeper, Spanish media reported.
The 24-year-old Kovacic was part of the Croatia team that reached last month's World Cup final but was used almost exclusively as a substitute at Real last season.
"I am really happy and excited to be here at Chelsea. It is an amazing feeling," Kovacic said on Chelsea's website.
"I will try to do my best for this club. It is a new league for me, the beginning is always tough but I am sure the coach and my new team mates will help me and I am looking forward to a great season."
Leicester complete Benkovic signing from Zagreb
Leicester City have signed Croatian defender Filip Benkovic from Dinamo Zagreb on a five-year deal, the Premier League club said on Thursday.
Leicester did not disclose the transfer fee but British media reports said the 21-year-old cost about 13 million pounds ($16.76 million).
Benkovic, a Croatian under-21 international, arrives at the King Power Stadium after an impressive 2017-18 campaign with Zagreb in which he made 30 appearances in all competitions and helped them clinch the Croatian league title.
"Filip is an exciting young player who has the potential to develop even more at Leicester," Leicester boss Claude Puel told the club website.
"He has made a big contribution to Dinamo Zagreb over the last three years and has also benefited from experiencing European football.
"I know he will give us some great options and competition in the squad and I'm delighted to have him here."
West Ham sign striker Perez from Arsenal
West Ham United signed striker Lucas Perez from Arsenal on a three-year contract, both Premier League clubs confirmed on Thursday.
The 29-year-old is West Ham's seventh signing of the close season. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but local media said West Ham had paid about 4 million pounds ($5.16 million) for the Spaniard.
Perez joined Arsenal in August 2016 from Deportivo la Coruna but started just two Premier League games for the London club, making another nine appearances off the bench, before being loaned back to the Spanish side the following season.
"I'm very happy to be here at such an historic club," he said in a statement on West Ham's website.
"I'm very excited, as West Ham are giving me the chance to stay in the Premier League and I'm very happy to be part of this new project."
Wolves sign Belgium midfielder Dendoncker from Anderlecht
Wolverhampton Wanderers' preparations for their Premier League return gathered momentum as they signed Belgium midfielder Leander Dendoncker from Anderlecht on Thursday.
The 23-year-old has joined on a season-long loan, which the Wolves say will become permanent at the end of the season.
Having made his professional debut in 2013, Dendoncker has played 190 games for Anderlecht and helped the club win the domextic title last year.
Dendoncker made his Belgium debut in 2015 and featured against England in the group stage at the World Cup in Russia.
He becomes Wolves' sixth signing since they won promotion from the Championship in May, following Adama Traore, Rui Patricio, Jonny Castro Otto, Joao Moutinho and Raul Jimenez.
Dendoncker could make his debut for Nuno Espirito Santo's side when they host Everton in their league opener on Saturday.
