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Kepa Arrizabalaga, David de Gea 'emerge as goalkeeper targets for Real Madrid'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 10 August 2023

Kepa, De Gea 'emerge as goalkeeper targets for Real Madrid'

Real Madrid consider moves for Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga and free agent David de Gea after number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffers an ACL injury in training.

Real Madrid are reportedly considering moves for Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga and free agent David de Gea after being hit with the news that Thibaut Courtois is likely to miss the entire 2023-24 campaign.

Courtois suffered a knee injury during a training session on Thursday, and it was later confirmed that the Belgian had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, which will require an operation.

The 31-year-old is now set to miss the whole of the new season, leaving Andriy Lunin as the only senior first-team goalkeeper, so Los Blancos will enter the market for a new stopper.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Kepa has emerged as a potential target, with the Spain international expected to leave Chelsea before the end of the transfer window.

Bayern Munich are currently being heavily linked with Kepa, but Real Madrid are also believed to be in the running for the 28-year-old, who played in La Liga for Athletic Bilbao ahead of his big-money move to Chelsea.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on August 3, 2023 © Reuters

Kepa was Chelsea's number one for the majority of last season, featuring on 39 occasions in all competitions, but there is widespread speculation surrounding his future, with the Blues recently bringing in Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Any new goalkeeper at Real Madrid is likely to become their number one, with Los Blancos head coach Carlo Ancelotti only believed to view Lunin as a number two.

Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel is believed to be pushing to bring Kepa to Bayern, but the Courtois news has now seemingly opened up Real Madrid as an option.

Meanwhile, according to talkSPORT, De Gea is currently in advanced discussions with Real Madrid over a move to the club.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag with goalkeeper David de Gea on October 30, 2022 © Reuters

The experienced stopper is available on a free transfer, with his contract at Manchester United coming to an end on June 30.

A host of Saudi clubs are believed to be interested in De Gea, but recent reports have claimed that the former Spain number one is looking for a return to his homeland.

The report claims that the 32-year-old is currently in advanced talks over a switch to Bernabeu, and he could even make his debut against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday night.

De Gea, who was heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in 2015, represented Atletico Madrid between 2003 and 2011, including two years in the first team, before leaving for Old Trafford.

However, the goalkeeper has not played any pre-season football, with his last appearance proving to be the FA Cup final against Manchester City at the start of June.