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Louise Thomas
Editor
Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas has revealed he cried when his move to Manchester United fell through, but insists he never wanted to leave the Spanish capital.
The Costa Rica international was set to head to Old Trafford as part of a deadline day swap deal on August 31, which would have seen David de Gea going the other way, until paperwork complications scuppered the trade.
After a public dispute between the clubs over who was to blame for the debacle, De Gea has now signed a new deal at United and Navas is focused on Los Blancos.
"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," Navas told Spanish radio station Cadena COPE.
He added: "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.
"I thought that if God wanted me to leave Madrid, it would be for the best, but he didn't want me to and I'm still here."
Navas joined Real Madrid in 2014 after a superb run of form at the World Cup made him a target for many of Europe's top clubs.
The 28-year-old was one of three goalkeepers short listed for the Golden Glove award in Brazil, but he found it hard to usurp Iker Casillas at the Bernabeu last season.
With Real Madrid's summer-long pursuit of De Gea it looked like he would never get a chance in Madrid, but he is now determined to make his mark - despite putting pen to paper with United less than a month ago.
"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. We have things to improve, but we're on the right path," he said.
PA
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