As the clock ticks down on the European transfer window, one of the most unexpected transfer rumours of the summer has emerged with Real Madrid's reported interest in Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
An article from Football Insider says that they understand Real Madrid have targeted the 36-year-old as they face the prospect of Keylor Navas moving to Paris Saint-Germain and have already made contact with the Dutchman’s representatives over a shock move.
Although Stekelenburg was a substitute at Aston Villa on Friday night, there seems little chance of him usurping England number one Jordan Pickford while Silva also recruited additional cover in that position this summer in the shape of Danish international Jonas Lossl who was on the bench against Crystal Palace and Watford.
It seems that Real chiefs value Stekelenburg’s vast experience – he has been capped 58 times for the Netherlands and played in the 2010 World Cup final against Spain – as they look for cover for Thibaut Courtois.
Stekelenburg first came to the Premier League in 2013 when he joined Fulham and he spent three years at Craven Cottage although the final season was on loan at Southampton with compatriot Ronald Koeman who he had also played under at first club Ajax.
He followed Koeman to Everton in 2016 and was initially expected to be second choice but with no high-profile recruitment in his position until the acquisition of Pickford a year later, he spent his first season at Goodison Park battling for a starting berth with Joel Robles .
