Goodbye to Lunin, the goalkeeper who aims to replace Courtois at Real Madrid

One of the players nearing the end of his contract is Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian "1" has been, to date, the best goalkeeper in the world and has earned his position as the undisputed starter in Real Madrid's goal. Only a serious injury during the past season has given opportunities to players like Kepa Arrizabalaga and Andriy Lunin.

With the Bree-born goalkeeper in perfect physical condition, Carlo Ancelotti has no doubts. Therefore, in the Valdebebas offices, they are already considering what to do with the two goalkeepers currently in Santiago Bernabéu locker room. Everything indicates that the executives led by Florentino Pérez will approach the Belgian goalkeeper to offer him a renewal.

But at 32 years old, an important question arises. Real Madrid renews annually the footballers who have surpassed the 30-year mark, like Thibaut Courtois himself. However, the goalkeeper position is really specific and there are very few reliable alternatives in the transfer market.

In this situation, the Madrid bosses would send a two-season renewal proposal, which would end when Courtois is 36 years old. Meanwhile, the efforts of the scouts led by Juni Calafat would focus on securing the "heir" of one of the best goalkeepers in Madrid's history.

Difficult Fit

Most conversations point to Andriy Lunin, who has proven to be up to the competitive challenge. Evidence of this claim is the second half of the 23/24 season, when the Ukrainian "13" won the starting position over Kepa Arrizabalaga. His excellent performances were key to securing victory in that league campaign and to successfully reaching the Champions League final held at Wembley.

Such records would have caught the attention of Manchester United. It is not the first time the red devils have contacted the Ukrainian "13", but Lunin made it clear that his intention was to continue at Real Madrid. His renewal until mid-2030, signed last summer, seems to have fully settled him in Santiago Bernabéu locker room.

Unless the European player, tired of having only the Copa del Rey as a stage to showcase himself, decides to head to the Premier League. It will be then that the sports management will focus on Joan García, goalkeeper of RCD Espanyol, who has been on the list of potential signings since last summer. The message from the noble area of the RCDE Stadium is very clear: anyone wishing to sign the Catalan goalkeeper must pay his release clause, valued at 30 million euros.

Real Madrid could accept that price as long as Andriy Lunin leaves Santiago Bernabéu locker room, because his transfer would serve to finance that summer operation. Meanwhile, the confidence of the coaching staff and the boardwill remain in the two goalkeepers who now defend the club's emblem with such guarantees.