The end of the season is approaching and with it comes the transfer market. For Real Madrid, this summer is expected to be busy in terms of both arrivals and departures. The year has not gone at all as expected and it is time to make important changes to improve the performance of a team that has ended the Ancelotti era without a single title.
One of the positions where no changes were initially expected is in goal. Real Madrid is fortunate to have two of the best goalkeepers in its ranks. On the one hand, Thibaut Courtois, who, despite his age, continues to prove game after game that he is a key player for the Whites. The Belgian goalkeeper’s contract expires in June next year and the club is planning to do something unusual within its philosophy regarding players of a certain age. The Belgian goalkeeper is being offered a two-year contract extension, until June 2028, when he will be 36 years old.
Lunin’s complex situation
On the other hand, there is Lunin, who arrived at Real Madrid seven years ago when he was just an inexperienced 19-year-old. His performance has been unbeatable whenever he has played, but Courtois‘ shadow is too long. The Ukrainian goalkeeper seems to have reached his limit. Last season, he played most of the season in goal due to Courtois’ injury, and when the best was yet to come, sealing the league title and the Champions League final, the Belgian returned from injury and Lunin was left on the bench.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper has always accepted his role, but when he was given the chance to play in the Copa del Rey this season and led the team to the final, where he was once again relegated to the bench, giving up his place between the posts to Courtois, it seems to have been the last straw. Lunin is considering leaving in the summer and looking for a destination where he can play a more prominent role. However, he has a contract in place and Real Madrid will want more than $20 million for the departure of a goalkeeper who also has a high salary that not every team will be able to afford. Aston Villa in the Premier League seems very interested.
Real Madrid thinks about the future of its goalkeeping
Faced with the possible departure of Lunin in search of playing time, Real Madrid has already begun to make moves, as they are well aware of Thibaut Courtois’ age and that his retirement, as well as the need to distribute playing time, will become evident, and a reliable replacement is needed.
The favorite for months has been Joan García, Espanyol’s goalkeeper. He was already well-liked when he was in the Second Division. He is seen as a high-level goalkeeper, and he has proven that this season against the Whites. Competition for the player is fierce, and Real Madrid has studied various scenarios for the signing of a player who currently has a €30 million release clause.
However, everything could change next Saturday. If Espanyol is relegated, the release clause would be reduced to €15 million, which would speed up the move to sign him and get ahead of the competition. The blue and white team is playing for its survival in the First Division on the last day of the season. The Pericos are playing against Leganés and depend on themselves. They are playing against the already relegated Las Palmas in Cornellà. If they win, they are mathematically safe, but a draw would leave them in the hands of Leganés, who are hosting another relegated team, Valladolid, at Butarque.