With the season over after giving up on LaLiga at Montjuic, Real Madrid is already thinking about the future, with its mind set on the Club World Cup and the transfer market, where there are expected to be some comings and goings. One of the central issues in this regard is the goalkeeper position, where Lunin is looking to leave and the Whites are searching for a future heir to Courtois.
Real Madrid is fortunate to have two of the best goalkeepers in the world in its ranks, but that is precisely why Lunin wants to leave. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has grown tired of being in the shadow of Thibaut Courtois and will seek new horizons, forcing the Whites to make a move.
Lunin’s departure on the horizon
Lunin seems to have said “enough is enough.” The goalkeeper has proven on multiple occasions that he is up to the task of defending the white goal, but he has been relegated to the sidelines time and time again. Last season, with Courtois out with a long-term injury, Lunin stepped up and performed at a high level, leading the team to the Champions League final. By then, the Belgian goalkeeper had recovered and was back between the sticks for the final against Borussia, where he was the star of the show.
The same situation has arisen this season, with Lunin returning to his secondary role and finding his moment in the Copa del Rey. However, after reaching the final, Ancelotti once again chose Courtois to start against Barça. The Ukrainian goalkeeper seems to be clear that as long as he is at Real Madrid, he will not be the first choice for the big games and he has grown tired of this situation.
His agent, Jorge Mendes, has already informed president Florentino of the offers the goalkeeper has received so that the club can make a decision about the player’s future. Teams such as Galatasaray, the most interested, and Manchester United rate the goalkeeper highly and value his performances whenever he has played.
Real Madrid is not standing still
Faced with the more than likely departure of the Ukrainian, Real Madrid has not been waiting to see what might happen and has already been sounding out the market, where one name stands out above the rest. Bart Verbruggen (22) of Brighton & Hove Albion and the return of Kepa have been on the table, but the name of Joan García has been on the table for some time at Real Madrid.
The player was already well liked when he was in the Second Division with Espanyol, and this season he has been key and has made some impressive saves throughout the season, which has aroused a lot of interest in the market. Real Madrid, faced with this situation, is clear that it wants to sign the player before the competition and has decided to sign him as soon as possible and keep him on loan so that he can continue to play and grow.
A surprising name enters the scene
With the search for a goalkeeper still open, a task that will not be easy as all the targets know they would be competing for the position with Courtois as the undisputed number one, a new name has emerged. Real Madrid have shown interest in signing David Raya, although this move may only be possible if Lunin leaves the club in the summer. According to The Sun, the Chamartín club has set its sights on the Arsenal goalkeeper due to his great performance this season.
The goalkeeper has a contract until June 2028, so it will not be easy to get the Spanish international out of London. David Raya has a market value of €40 million, according to the specialized website Transfermarkt.