Iker Casillas and Real Madrid have arrived at an agreement for the goalkeeper to move to Porto. The contracts were drafted throughout Friday afternoon and all that is missing to make it official are the signatures of the 34-year-old and the two clubs. Casillas will sign a two-year deal with the Portuguese club. The only problem surrounding the move was a tax issue between the player and the club on his departure but that has not been fixed.
Madrid’s club captain had (and still has, because he remains a Madrid player) two more years on his contract at the Bernabéu that would have seen him collect €24 million gross. Porto will pay €8 million for the two years he is there and Madrid will take care of the other €16m, meaning the club will also take on the difference in tax.
AS has been told that Casillas made his mind up about leaving a few weeks ago. It was club president Florentino Pérez who told Casillas what the club’s plans were and that it was best for him to look for an exit. There was, therefore, no offer. Soon after there was one from Roma and, finally, Porto came in to seal the deal even with all the problems that were generated. It should be good news.
Casillas arrived at Valdebebas on Friday morning but he was the first to leave (at 10:15 CET). In the afternoon he did not appear. He had a meal with his agent and friends and the cameras were there when he left the restaurant. They asked about his situation and if he was glad that everything was resolved, in which he said: “There is nothing decided…”. There was nothing signed.
He has been advised not to have a public farewell at the Bernabéu. It would be seen as an act of hypocrisy and even a trap, with some fans going to express some displeasure towards him. It is not even clear if he will give a farewell press conference at the Bernabéu. The goalkeeper could organise his own goodbye somewhere else.