In a season where everyone seems to be under scrutiny and not performing at their best, Real Madrid is fortunate to have two of the best goalkeepers in the world between the posts. Courtois and Lunin form the perfect duo, with the former competing in La Liga and the Champions League and the latter in the Copa del Rey. At least until there was a change in Saturday’s match against Barça.
Lunin, left out of the Cup final
Lunin proved both last season and this season that he deserves a place at Real Madrid, but Courtois’ shadow is very long and he has now been left on the bench in two finals. The first was last season. Courtois already replaced Lunin in a final last season.
Last season was a difficult one for the Belgian goalkeeper, who suffered two complicated knee injuries but recovered in time for the final stretch of the competition. In his absence, Lunin more than earned his place, but he had to sit out the Champions League final against Borussia, in which Thibaut ended up being the savior.
The second was last weekend. While it is true that Lunin had been out for three weeks with an injury, the Copa was his competition and he had to watch the final from the bench with Courtois starting. The Belgian did not play badly in the final, but he made a few mistakes that cost the Whites. Madrid had been the better side and deserved to win. However, a mistake by Courtois, who misjudged a long ball, gave Ferran a free chance to equalize.
Doubts about Lunin’s future in the background
Being constantly relegated to the background is difficult to manage. Lunin arrived at Real Madrid at the age of 19 and, after a few loan spells, took advantage of Thibaut Courtois’ serious injury to show his talent and put himself in contention to become the first-choice goalkeeper for the Whites.
However, Courtois’ return from injury relegated Lunin back to the bench, where he has spent too much time this season, failing to make even ten starts for Real Madrid and pushing his situation to the limit. He is fully committed, but he is aware that he would be a key player away from the Whites.
Lunin’s good performances continue to be monitored by important teams looking to strengthen their goalkeeping, and one of them is Manchester United. There has also been talk of several interested parties from Turkey. He has no shortage of suitors and could be living his last months as a Merengue.
Real Madrid wants Joan García
Given the possibility that Lunin may decide to leave the Whites in the near future, Real Madrid has decided to start making moves in the transfer market. There are several important names on their list to cover the goalkeeper position, but there is one that stands out above the rest. Real Madrid has had the name of Joan García on their list for some time. They see him as a high-level goalkeeper, and he has proven that this season against the Whites.
The player has a €30 million release clause, and the Whites’ plan would be to sign him with a strategic twist. They would seek to keep him on loan for two more years in Barcelona, thus ensuring he is ready to be Courtois’ heir and preventing him from joining any of the other clubs interested in him.