Report: Navas Had a Key Role in PSG’s Decision to Sign Rico Away from Sevilla on a Permanent Deal

Over the last summer transfer window, goalkeeper Sergio Rico signed on with Paris Saint-Germain on a permanent transfer deal from Sevilla FC. PSG elected to come to terms with Sevilla on a €6 million transfer deal that extended the Spanish goalkeeper’s stay with the club.

However, PSG did not plan on keeping Rico. A report from L’Equipe (via Le10Sport) chronicled PSG’s initial plans with Rico following his one-season loan stint with the club.

At first, PSG was not convinced with paying a €10 million fee for Rico, which was the set purchase option that Sevilla embedded in the initial loan agreement.

In the end, three factors played into PSG’s decision to sign Rico on a permanent deal.

First, Rico’s performances in last season’s UEFA Champions League knockout stage turned some heads within PSG’s management. For one, the Spanish goalkeeper, in place of the injured Keylor Navas, earned a start in the semifinals against RB Leipzig where he had a formidable showing in helping PSG push on through to the final of the competition.

As mentioned, PSG was not set on paying a €10 million transfer fee for Rico. However, Sevilla was open to lowering the fee by €4 million, which PSG wound up agreeing to the new offer.

More so, Navas played an influential role in Rico staying on with the team. The Costa Rican goalkeeper went to PSG management and pushed them to not let Rico go, which worked as the club listened to its veteran goalkeeper.

Rico is well-placed as the team’s backup goalkeeper but has had to step in this season as the starter as well, which he has gone on to record four clean sheets in seven appearances.

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Tags Keylor Navas RB Leipzig Sergio Rico Sevilla FC
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