Real Madrid has been heavily criticized this season, but no one has ever doubted the quality of the team’s goalkeeping. The Whites are fortunate to have two of the best goalkeepers in the world between the posts: Thibaut Courtois and Andrey Lunin. A great duo that, however, seems unable to coexist any longer.
Lunin wants to leave
Lunin’s situation at Real Madrid could be about to explode. The Ukrainian goalkeeper, who arrived at the club at the young age of 19, has proven on numerous occasions that he is up to the task at Real Madrid, but Courtois’ shadow has always been too long, to the point that Lunin has realized that if he stays at the Santiago Bernabéu, he will never play in a final.
It is not surprising that he thinks this when last season, with Thibaut out for a long time, he led Real Madrid to the Champions League final with a great season. However, against Borussia Dortmund, with Courtois back from injury, Ancelotti opted for the Belgian, who ultimately proved crucial.
It surprised many that Lunin chose to renew his contract with the Whites after that. He did so, and Ancelotti gave him the Copa del Rey. Once again, the goalkeeper led the team to the final against Barça, but did not play. Although he had been injured for a few weeks, it was once again the Belgian who was chosen to be between the posts.
In recent days, it has been revealed that Lunin’s agent has already informed Real Madrid of the various offers the Ukrainian has received for the future. The Whites are not opposed to the possibility of the player leaving in the summer if a good offer comes in and, in fact, they have already started to make moves in the market.
Open war for Joan García
In the search for a new goalkeeper ahead of Lunin’s possible departure and with Courtois’ future retirement in mind, Real Madrid has a clear favorite: Joan García, Espanyol’s goalkeeper. The Spanish goalkeeper’s impressive performances this season have made him one of the best goalkeepers in the competition. That is why the Whites want to cast their net over the player and have a plan to do so. They want to sign him now, but keep him on loan and give him playing time and minutes until Courtois retires.
The strategy is clear: to get ahead of the competition, which is not insignificant. The fight for the Sallent native, with a release clause of €25 million, has more and more contenders. All the big Premier League clubs, with the exception of City and Liverpool, have him on their agenda, with Arsenal in the lead. Bayer Leverkusen is also keeping an eye on him.
An old acquaintance comes into play
Real Madrid, aware of Courtois’ age and that Lunin’s future plans may lie far from the Santiago Bernabéu, has its radar on for a new goalkeeper and any opportunities that may arise in the market. That’s where Kepa Arrizabalaga comes in.
This seems to be the direction taken by ‘Relevo’, which has stated the following: “If Lunin leaves, Real Madrid would be happy if Kepa returned, as the player made a good impression on Florentino and in the dressing room.” The Basque goalkeeper is having an outstanding season with Bournemouth, where he is on loan from Chelsea, the club with which the Cherries will have to negotiate if they wish to keep him.