De Gea, Bounou Madrid goalkeeper targets as Courtois, Guler set for surgery
De Gea, Bounou Madrid goalkeeper targets as Courtois, Guler set for surgery
Following confirmation of Thibaut Courtois’ ACL injury, which has ruled him out of the entire 2023-24 season, Real Madrid have entered the market to sort a replacement for the Belgian international.
David De Gea has emerged as an early frontrunner, and the former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid stopper is reportedly in talks with Los Blancos officials over a deal. However, he is not the preferred candidate among the first-team coaching staff. That is Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou, according to Diario AS.
Bono has been heavily linked with a departure this summer, with Jose Luis Mendilibar likely to stick with Marko Dmitrovic as his number-one for the new season. This could open the door for Real Madrid to do a deal.
As per recent reports, Sevilla are asking for €20m in order to sell Bono, which may be too much for Real Madrid considering they are only looking for a new keeper for the upcoming season, with Courtois expected to take back his spot when he returns to full fitness.
It remains to be seen who Real Madrid look to sign as their new number one. Multiple names have already been rumoured, but whoever comes in will certainly have Courtois’ massive boots to fill.
Meanwhile, Courtois, who will undergo surgery to address the injury, now joins Dani Ceballos and Arda Guler in the treatment room.
The Belgian international won’t be the only Real Madrid to go under the knife, with Diario AS reporting that Guler will also require surgery on his meniscus injury, which got worse during Los Blancos’ pre-season tour of the United States.
Real Madrid had hoped to avoid surgery for Guler after he had responded well to initial treatment, but unfortunately for them, it has been unavoidable. He is expected to be ruled out of action for between five to seven weeks.
It has been a rough couple of weeks for Real Madrid on the injury front, and Carlo Ancelotti will no doubt be
cursing his luck, with the new season getting underway this weekend.
