Real Madrid are pondering over a summer move for Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak, if moves for Chelsea’s Courtois and Manchester United’s David De Gea fail.
According to a report by Daniel Caballero in Goal, Los Blancos are now considering a summer swoop for the 24-year-old Slovenian international, amidst growing uncertainty over current first choice shot-stopper Keylor Navas’ form.
Real Madrid have been heavily linked with Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois and Manchester United’s David De Gea recently, both of whom have previously spent time honing their skills at the Vicente Calderon, and according to the report, the duo remain Madrid’s first choice.
However, both may prove extremely hard to prise away from their respective sides. Chelsea are reportedly looking to tie down Courtois to a long term contract and will likely offer him a huge contract in order to fend off interest from Real Madrid.
Due to last season’s capitulation, it looked like the Belgian international and a few others were set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2016. Courtois has made no secret of his love for Spain, having spent three seasons in the Spanish capital with Atletico Madrid on loan from Chelsea.
However, Antonio Conte’s arrival has turned things around and Chelsea are once again back the summit of English football. The Blues are now back in Europe and having won his second league title in only his third full season with the club, the 25-year-old may consider staying on in London.
De Gea has been rumored to be a target for Real Madrid even before Courtois. The 26-year-old Spaniard, who joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011, has grown to become arguably the best shot-stopper in the Premier League, if not the world.
He is seen as the one true heir to the legendary Iker Casillas’ mantle at Real Madrid by those at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Madrid born keeper has already taken over Casillas’ place in the the national team, and now it only seems fitting that he does the same with Los Merengues.
However, Jose Mourinho will know all too well of De Gea’s ability and will certainly do everything in his power to keep hold of the Spaniard. He will no doubt be a key part of Mourinho’s future plans as he looks to bring his Manchester United vision to life.
De Gea very nearly joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2015, but due to the paperwork not being submitted on time, the move fell through. A few months later he signed a new 4-year-contract which will keep him at the club till 2019, with an option to extend it for another year.
However, Manchester United had reportedly made contact with Jan Oblak’s representatives in order to discuss a possible summer switch to Old Trafford at the end of the season, but this is only likely in the event that David De Gea does leave the club in the transfer window.
So if neither of Real’s first choice options are allowed to leave in the summer, it is likely Zidane will make a move for Oblak. While previously it would have seemed impossible for a move like this to have gone through, recent business between the clubs suggest otherwise.
Real and Atletico had something of a silent agreement with each other where it was understood that neither side would try and purchase each other’s players. But Atletico Madrid left-back Theo Hernandez, currently on loan at Alaves, recently underwent a medical with Los Blancos.
Real have reportedly triggered his €24 million release clause and upon agreeing personal terms with the club, the 19-year-old will put pen to paper on a 5-year-contract. Hernandez came through the youth ranks at Los Rojiblancos, before being sent out on loan to gain experience.
If a player like him, who has spemt his entire youth at Atletico, can move to their fiercest rivals, what is to stop Oblak from doing the same? If anything, Real will be buoyed by Hernandez’s signing and it will only encourage them to try and convince them more to acquire some of Atletico’s best talent in the future.
