Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas becomes 'world's most wanted' after World Cup displays

Liverpool, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid could all trigger £6.5m release clause

(Getty Images)

After his heroic World Cup displays, in particular against Greece in the last 16, Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas has suddenly become hot property.

Navas' performance helped ten-man Costa Rica advance into a previously unthinkable World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands, although he claims it was the fearlessness of his team that made the difference.

"We left our fear at home - that is why we came through a group that had three former World Cup winners in it. We are not afraid of anyone," he said.

Even if Navas' World Cup is ended by the Dutch in the next round, the goalkeeper has greatly boosted his profile in this tournament and now looks almost certain to be snapped up by a big club next season.

Navas currently plays for Levante, but with only one-year remaining on his contract and a £6.5m release clause, his performances in Brazil would appear to make it difficult for the Spanish club to hold on to him.

Video: Costa Rica fans celebrate reaching quarter finals

With Thibaut Courtois set to return to Chelsea after successful loans spells at Atletico Madrid, the defending La Liga champions are thought to be the greatest admirer of Navas.

The Costa Rican finished as the second-best goalkeeper behind Courtois in La Liga last season, based on goals conceded and the best in terms of shots saved - which considering the paucity of the defence in front of him was no mean feat.

"I have had a tough journey to get where I am but I’ve fought hard and now I’m reaping the rewards," Navas said, talking about how he was taken from Costa Rican side Saprissa by Albacete in 2010.

Now it appears he could be about to move on to even greater things.