It was a nightmare for Madrid in the Champions League, Florentino knows it costs €40M.

One of the positions that the executives led by Florentino Pérez seemed to have completely under control is the goalkeeper position. In addition to the roster of forwards, most reports didn't predict many changes in a line of the Merengue locker room currently made up of Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin.

However, the injury to the Belgian '1', a sacroiliitis that will make him arrive with doubts about his physical condition at the next Club World Cup, would have triggered some rumors about the Merengue goalkeeper position. Not only because of the future of the Bree-born goalkeeper, whose contract ends in the summer of 2026, but also his competitor, tired of waiting for the moment to establish himself as the starter.

The future of Real Madrid's first-team goalkeeper position is full of doubts due to the emergence of several goalkeepers who can serve as high-level candidates for that spot. In addition to the well-known Joan García, one of the "declared targets" of FC Barcelona for the next summer transfer window, another goalkeeper from France would have emerged on the list of possible Merengue signings.

The white club's sporting management remembers that goalkeeper very well, since he had one of his best moments of the 24/25 season against Real Madrid in the Champions League. The figure of Lucas Chevalier, current LOSC Lille goalkeeper, spoiled the European night for the white team during their visit to the Pierre-Mauroy stadium for the league phase of the continental tournament. Carlo Ancelotti's pupils, partly because of Chevalier's performance, partly because of their poor showing, ended up losing that match by the narrowest margin.

More options for a 'stalled' debate

In any case, since then the scouts led by Juni Calafat have kept a discreet watch on the 23-year-old French goalkeeper. Lucas Chevalier seems to have attracted the interest of other elite European clubs thanks to his performance with les dogues. The report from "Bernabéu Digital" places the Madrid club as a reliable candidate for his signing.

However, Real Madrid wouldn't be alone in that particular "race" to secure the French goalkeeper's soccer services. Aston Villa, given the instability surrounding the future of Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez, are exploring the market in search of his successor in the Villa Park goal. The "Villans" would have put a transfer offer of €40 million ($43.6 million) on the table, an amount to which LOSC Lille hasn't yet replied.

Meanwhile, as Real Madrid considers a new option to strengthen their goalkeeper position, the executives led by Florentino Pérez must solve the double dilemma present in the first team. Because Thibaut Courtois's contract ends in the summer of 2026: his renewal seemed almost certain, but the physical complications of recent years would have put that extension at risk. Something similar is happening with Andriy Lunin, who renewed until the summer of 2030 less than a year ago.

The Ukrainian "13" wants to establish himself right now as Thibaut Courtois's successor: the sooner he can become the starter, the better. It remains to be seen what role Xabi Alonso offers him in his plans for the Club World Cup, as well as the 25/26 season... because it could mark the definitive departure of the young European goalkeeper.