REAL MADRID
Real Madrid new goalkeeper search: LaLiga club contact David De Gea
A suspected ACL injury to Thibaut Courtois has left Madrid in need of a new number one. We take a look at Los Blancos’ possible options
Real Madrid are expected to make a late play in the transfer market as they look for a replacement for Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian goalkeeper suffered a serious injury on Thursday and is expected to be out for at least six months as he recovers.
The 31-year-old has been one of Madrid’s most consistent performers in recent years and was Man of the Match in the 2022 Champions League final.
Courtois is thought to have suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while training with the team and left the session in tears. He is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days.
Real Madrid approach David de Gea
With Courtois out of action for the foreseeable future, Sky Sports reports that Real Madrid have made contact with David de Gea over a possible move.
The Spanish keeper left Manchester United earlier this summer after his contract with the Red Devils expired. At 32 De Gea has enormous top level experience and is familiar with the league and the city, having spent eight years with Atlético Madrid as a youngster.
As a free agent, Real Madrid could sign him without having to engage in any lengthy transfer negotiations. Madrid-born De Gea is expected to be open to a move back to his home city.
De Gea was reportedly just minutes away from a move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2015 when a £29 million deal was agreed with United. However paperwork issues shortly before the midnight deadline ensured that the proposed transfer collapsed.
Kepa and Keylor could be in contention for Madrid
De Gea is the clear front-runner for Madrid but there are other options. Keylor Navas won three consecutive Champions Leagues titles with the club during a five-year spell in the Spanish capital, before leaving for Paris Saint-Germain.
He featured a lot for PSG in his first three seasons but then lost his place to Gianluigi Donnarumma. Navas did not play a single Ligue 1 game for PSG in 2022/23, spending the second half of the season on loan with Nottingham Forest.
He has returned to the French champions this summer but looks unlikely to receive significant game time.
Another out-of-favour goalkeeper who Madrid could target is Kepa Arrizabalaga. The 28-year-old has failed to secure a starting berth with Chelsea since his move in 2018 and could be open to a return to Spain.
Last week Chelsea confirmed the signing of Robert Sanchez from Brighton and Hove Albion, suggesting that Kepa will once again face a battle for the goalkeeper’s jersey. Madrid may hope to lure him away on a short-term deal.