Player who left Nottingham Forest in 2023 could now join Barcelona on a free transfer

A player who was at Nottingham Forest in 2023 could now seal a shock move to Barcelona.

 

There have already been some strange exits from the City Ground in recent times, with Moussa Niakhite and Orel Mangala bringing in a combined £60m after leaving for Lyon – the latter has since been loaned to Everton before even making an appearance for the French giants.

Now – however – an even more surprising deal could take place.

 

So, who could join Barcelona on a free transfer after leaving Nottingham Forest in 2023? Let’s take a look…

 

Keylor Navas could join Barcelona after 2023 Nottingham Forest departure

A story from Mundo Deportivo now states that Keylor Navas could join Barcelona on a free transfer, after Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a serious knee injury.

The Costa Rica international spent the second half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest, where he kept two clean sheets in 17 appearances for the Garibaldi.

 

Navas – who Steve Cooper once called a “brilliant” goalkeeper – eventually returned to PSG to spend the 2023/24 campaign in Paris, but after being released at the end of last season, he is now ready to join Barcelona, having kept himself fit through individual training so far this term.

It would be a shock move for the man from Perez Zeledon, given the fact he made 162 appearances for Barcelona’s rivals Real Madrid, and also given the fact he is now 37 years of age.

Would be a deserved move

While Navas joining Barcelona would be a surprise development, it is nothing less than he deserves for his tremendous attitude at Nottingham Forest.

 

Brandon Aguilera – who left the City Ground for Rio Ave back in July – spoke to ESPN about just how impactful the Costa Rican was behind the scenes at Nottingham Forest, saying: “Keylor Navas has a great legacy there.

 

“The fans, the teammates have great affection for him for everything he contributed last season. Since I arrived, my teammates talk to me about him, everything he contributed, a reference when he was there.”