Courtois to stay, as Navas looks likely to leave Bernabeu (AS)

Real Madrid have told Thibaut Courtois that he is their first-choice keeper for next season, which could finally prompt Keylor Navas to look for the exit door, according to AS.

Thibaut Courtois will remain at Real Madrid. AS has learned that the club have told the Belgian keeper that he will be their first-choice keeper next season.

Since the return of Zinedine Zidane, Madrid’s longer-serving keeper Keylor Navas has enjoyed more prominence in the team after having been left out in the cold by former coach Santiago Solari.

But despite the fact that Navas’ role has grown under Zidane, Courtois is still top of the pecking order from the point of view of the club, who have made sure to communicate that fact to the 26-year-old.

There is some concern at the club regarding Courtois’ performance level this season, but the Belgian keeper is still regarded as Los Blancos' number one man between posts for next season and beyond.

Madrid expected more from him this season but they trust that the player will respond to their endorsement by recapturing the form he showed at the World Cup in Russia last summer that earned him the tournament’s Golden Glove award.