Exclusive: Real Madrid Goalkeeper Iker Casillas Turned Down PSG Move

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Coveted shot-stopper keen to continue to fight for starting spot at Bernabeu.

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Real Madrid goalkeeper rejected a late move to big-spending PSG late on in the summer transfer window after his club accepted an offer for him to leave, it has emerged.

The 32-year-old has spent his entire career at the Bernabeu, in which time he has become widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, earning legendary status for both club and country after winning everything there is to win in the game.

However, things have not gone so smoothly for the Spanish international this year, with former Real boss Jose Mourinho dropping him to the bench after a disagreement, and new manager Carlo Ancelotti continuing to keep him out of the starting lineup, much to the surprise of football fans worldwide.

Clearly unsettled at the club, it was thought that Casillas may look to force a departure this summer in order to ensure he was playing regularly in a World Cup year, as he will hope to both start for and captain the Spanish national team as they look to defend their title in Brazil next year.

His situation at Real Madrid saw a host of top clubs show strong interest late on in the transfer window, though it has now emerged that French giants PSG succeeded with a £20m bid to Los Blancos, who accepted their offer and allowed the shot-stopper to speak with Laurent Blanc and club officials from Paris.

However, after brief negotiations, Casillas decided against a move, citing a strong desire to remain a one-club man and get back into the Real Madrid team.

Ancelotti currently prefers Diego Lopez over Casillas, but may face pressure from fans and players of the club if he continues to leave out such a well-respected figure of the team.

Casillas may be more likely to move in the January transfer window if he hasn’t broken into the team again by that point, and it is also thought that PSG could make a double swoop on the Spanish giants, as they are expected to revive their interest in Cristiano Ronaldo, who was reportedly angry at the surprise sale of Mesut Ozil to Arsenal.

Manchester City are another team monitoring Casillas’ situation, with concerns over current first-choice Joe Hart, and winger Jesus Navas admitted earlier today that his fellow countryman would fit in well at the Etihad Stadium.

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