Real Madrid eye Premier League duo as Thibaut Courtois succession plan emerges
Real Madrid are turning their attention to the Premier League as they look to identify a successor to Thibaut Courtois, it has been claimed. The Belgian international has been a key figure in Los Blancos' recent Champions League successes, but is now 33 and those at the club are believed to be considering a younger model.
The 2024 Champions League winners are expected to confirm Xabi Alonso as their new manager imminently following the Spaniard's Bayer Leverkusen exit, but they haven't slowed down on their transfer push. Trent Alexander-Arnold is on his way from Liverpool, and a new centre-back is also expected to join, with a new keeper completing the set.
According to The Sun, David Raya and Bart Verbruggen are the two Premier League men being considered, though neither would be easy to land. Raya is unlikely to be allowed to leave Arsenal without a fight, while Madrid's reported plan for Brighton star Verbruggen might not suit the Dutch international.
The same publication indicates the Spanish club want to initially bring in Verbruggen as a backup to Courtois before later elevating to first choice. With Verbruggen currently the established first choice under Fabian Hurzeler, though, he may prefer to stay put - especially with 2026 being a World Cup year.
Andriy Lunin has been the back-up to Courtois of late, playing six of his team's seven Champions League knockout games last season with his colleague out injured but losing his spot for the final. The Ukraine international could be made available for transfer this summer, having played just 60 first-team matches since joining the club in 2018.
Verbruggen helped Brighton claim a valuable 2-0 win at Wolves on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of European qualification. Hurzeler's team sit ninth - behind Brentford on goal difference only - and eighth place will be enough for Conference League qualification unless Crystal Palace beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
"Very happy that the players showed this performance. They stuck to the plan and defended quite well," manager Hurzeler told Match of the Day. "Second half, we defended quite well. In possession we could do it better, but I was happy to use the chance to score the second goal."
Alonso's other reported targets include Jonathan Tah, who could follow him in moving from Leverkusen. Former Real Madrid midfielder Alonso hasn't been confirmed as the new boss at the Bernabeu, but his decision to leave the BayArena is now official.
"This week the club and I have agreed that these two games will be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach," Alonso said on Friday. "We have been talking during this week that is always about the moment and now is the right moment to announce it.
"We have always had a good and direct communication and now that we have clarity, it is the right moment to say that for sure. It is a moment with mixed emotions but it is the moment to announce it."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
8 minutes ago
- Metro
Oliver Glasner speaks out after 'being ignored' by Marc Guehi after Chelsea draw
Oliver Glasner has dismissed suggestions that he was ignored by Marc Guehi after Crystal Palace's goalless draw against Chelsea last Sunday. As the two teams were walking off the pitch following the stalemate at Stamford Bridge, Glasner called out to Guehi as he headed towards the tunnel. Guehi briefly glanced at Glasner but did not stop and continued to head towards the dressing room, leaving the Palace manager looking confused by the defender's response. Liverpool have made a move to sign Guehi before the end of the summer transfer window and the 25-year-old's response to Glasner has sparked further speculation over his future. However, Glasner has moved to play down the exchange and insists Guehi was only upset by Palace's 0-0 draw against Chelsea. When asked about the incident on Wednesday, Glasner said: 'I've seen so much nonsense written about this. 'Marc was upset that he didn't win the game and I loved this. It's the best sign that he could show of how ambitious we are.' More Trending Glasner also confirmed that Guehi and Eze will start for Palace's Conference League play-off clash against Fredrikstad on Thursday night. Sky Sports is going full throttle this Premier League season, airing a record-breaking 215 live matches - that's nearly double the usual dose of drama, goals, and post-match meltdowns. From Friday night clashes to Super Sundays and even all ten final-day fixtures, Sky's new deal means fans won't miss a single nutmeg or last-minute screamer. Whether you're team Sky Q, Sky Glass, or prefer streaming via NOW, you're covered. And with pundits like Jamie Carragher probably already rehearsing their 'I told you so' lines, expect top-tier commentary alongside top-tier football. As Pep might say, 'More games, more problems - for the other teams.' Check out the latest deals from Sky here, starting from £15 a month. Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more . 'The player gives 100 per cent because he is under contract. We don't have to say thank you every day, he is getting a few pounds every week,' Glasner said. 'Many of you were surprised he and Marc started against Chelsea, most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow, but they are committed to the team. 'They will play a crucial part as long as they are here they are committed to the team. If they leave, they want to leave as the guys who gave 100 per cent to Crystal Palace.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal vs Leeds: Latest team news, predicted lineups and injuries MORE: Man City vs Tottenham: Latest team news, predicted lineups and injuries MORE: Crystal Palace v Fredrikstad odds: Eagles can win Conference League opener amid uncertainty over top players
Scottish Sun
8 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Rangers transfer target who opted for Serie A move could be out for entire SEASON after horror training ground injury
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS have already snapped up eleven new signings this summer, and are in the market for more. But for one of their ex-targets who didn't end up moving to Ibrox, it's looking like it'll be a long season on the sidelines. 3 Russell Martin has been busy in the transfer market at Rangers Credit: Getty 3 One of the signings he's missed out on has suffered a serious injury at his new club 3 Gers were beaten to his signing out of Belgium by a Serie A club Credit: AFP Rangers were linked with then-Westerlo striker Matija Frigan earlier in this window. Gers were even preparing to table a bid of £6million to the Belgian side for the forward. He even went on to reveal later that month that the move would interest him due to the nature of Scottish football. Frigan said: "That style of league would suit me, I think I'm a player for that type of football." Gers were eventually beaten to the signing when Serie A side Parma stumped up close to €10million for his services. He made his debut for the Italians at the weekend, coming off the bench in a 2-0 victory over Pescara in the Coppa Italia. But now, Frigan looks set for a lengthy spell on the sideline, as his new club announced in a statement that the striker has suffered a dreaded ACL injury. They said: "Parma Calcio's medical staff announces that this morning, during a training session at the Mutti Training Center in Collecchio, Matija Frigan was interrupted due to a sprain to his left knee. "Following tests performed this afternoon, the striker has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. "The team, the coaching staff, and everyone at Parma Calcio wish Matija a strong return to the field! Nobel Mendy timeline and what he brings revealed, and Dessers' injury impact "Come on, Matija, we're with you!" Meanwhile, another missed transfer target for Gers has signed for a new club - just days after his Ibrox move collapsed. Nobel Mendy had been set to swap Real Betis for Rangers, with a medical arranged for the defender after a £2.5million deal had been agreed. But a reported issue with the medical saw the deal fall through, and Mendy has now signed for Rayo Vallecano on loan. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
9 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Tottenham still face Eberechi Eze wait even though transfer agreement is now 'close'
Tottenham are still working on a deal to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace and their pursuit could now be aided with their Premier League rivals closing in on a replacement Tottenham and Crystal Palace have still not yet reached an agreement over a transfer fee for Eberechi Eze, who is now likely to feature in the Eagles' opening Europa Conference League fixture on Thursday. Spurs and Palace have been in talks over a deal for Eze, 27, this week with the former stepping up their efforts to land the attacking midfielder after discovering that the injured James Maddison is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. However, the two clubs have so far been unable to agree on a payment structure for a proposed £60million deal. Talks are expected to continue over the coming days with Eze keen on the idea of moving across London. But with no agreement in place, the former QPR man is now poised to start in Palace's Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Fredrikstad on Thursday. Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace's head coach, confirmed as much on Wednesday when he revealed that Eze and Marc Guehi - a target for Liverpool - remain committed to the cause despite interest from elsewhere. "Most of you will be surprised that they will start again tomorrow because of all the rumours," Glasner said in a press conference. "But they are committed here and they will play a crucial part." While Eze is likely to be on the pitch for the start of Crystal Palace's maiden European campaign, it seems likely that the club and Tottenham will reach an agreement for his transfer before September 1. Encouragingly for Tottenham, though, Palace have made progress in their pursuit of a player who could help fill the sizeable void Eze would leave. Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester is one of the targets Palace have identified amid interest in Eze and Sky Sports claim that the FA Cup winners are now 'close' to agreeing a deal worth £32million for the attacking midfielder. El Khannouss, 21, is among a number of options Palace are weighing up during the final two weeks of the transfer window. They also hold an interest in Christos Tzolis of Club Brugge, though it now seems that a deal for El Khannouss is more advanced. The Morocco star contributed two goals and three assists in 32 Premier League appearances for Leicester last season as they were relegated from the top-flight.
