Newcastle United signing likely remains real Rafael Benitez possibility despite development

At the end of last week, Marca specifically brought Newcastle United into the Kiko Casilla equation. With Real Madrid advancing with efforts to sign Kepa from Athletic Club Bilbao, Casilla is being edged towards the door, and as Marca looked around for potential destinations, Newcastle was the only one they came up with.

It was stated Rafael Benitez has already ‘expressly requested’ Newcastle United sign Casilla, back in the summer, but the goalkeeper and Madrid were against a move then.

With things very much changing, and Casilla failing to impress in the chances he’s been given at Real Madrid this season, a January move looks a real possibility, and that was explained by Marca.

Fittingly, Real Madrid played Athletic on Saturday in a 0-0 draw which saw both Keylor Navas and Kepa come out with credit. Indeed, Navas has been presented as one of the best performers.

That doesn’t mean Madrid have forgotten about Kepa. Marca say the young goalkeeper has passed a test of maturity this week, and did so again on Saturday, so if anything the will to sign him is further underlined.

And that keeps Kiko Casilla as a very real Newcastle United option.