The future of Iker Casillas is getting further away from the Bernabéu

But not by much. Exactly, 559 kilometers away. Porto is the chosen destination for the Real Madrid captain after reaching an agreement with his representative, Carlo Cutropía, with the Portuguese club last Saturday (offer extends for two years with an optional additional year). The offer is serious. It came in writing to the Madrid goalkeeper and also to the Madrid offices.

Porto is willing to pay a portion of the salary (around 30%) and expects the white club to cover the rest. Iker has two years left on his contract (7.5 million net this upcoming season and 7 million in the 2016-17 season). In the executive level of the Bernabéu there is reluctance to cover such a high percentage of Casillas' salary, but the youth academy player trusts that the president and José Ángel Sánchez will fulfill what they told him right after the season ended (he had a meeting with the latter): "Bring us a firm offer and we will help you leave Madrid." The club maintains that Iker should give up part of those 14.5 million to accelerate the agreement. Tello, with 2.4 net, is the highest paid at Porto... Cutropía confirmed the existence of the Portuguese offer yesterday: "Iker is interested in Porto and Porto is interested in Iker."

Lopetegui

Casillas wanted to fulfill the remaining two years in Madrid, but he is aware that the arrival of Rafa Benítez left him with no options. The new coach spoke with Keylor Navas and confirmed his trust in him, in addition to the fact that Madrid is doing everything possible to bring De Gea. "I want to retire here, but I never want to be a problem for Madrid," confessed Casillas on the microphones of El Larguero on May 27.

Porto meets Iker's expectations, as he was also tempted a week ago to go to Roma with Totti. The call from Lopetegui has been decisive. Julen has known the captain for many years and has told him that he would be a cornerstone player at Do Dragao. The previous starting goalkeeper, Fabiano, has been transferred to Fenerbahçe, and the substitute is Helton, who was almost unused this past season (he ruptured his Achilles heel and was out for a long time).

Spanish connection

Lopetegui and the trust he has given Iker are not the only things that convince him. He is motivated by the fact that there are several Spaniards in the Porto squad (Tello, Marcano, Adrián, goalkeeper Andrés Fernández, and Alberto Bueno). Additionally, he will be close to his family and friends. By road, Porto is very close to Spanish territory and by plane it is only 45 minutes away from Madrid. Language is not a problem either and the gastronomy is similar to Spanish cuisine. Furthermore, it was very important for Iker to play in the Champions League. And he will definitely do so with Porto (he could face Madrid during the competition).

Casillas' desire is for Madrid and Porto to reach an agreement before this Friday. On that day, Rafa Benítez has summoned the entire squad to Valdebebas to start preseason training and the captain would like to have his future settled with the announcement of his signing for Porto. The delay in De Gea's signing does not help much, but Madrid trusts that the agreement with United will be closed, at most, in the next two weeks.

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