Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has reportedly emerged as a key transfer target for Bayern Munich, who seek a long-term replacement for Manuel Neuer.
According to a report from El Nacional, reigning German champions Bayern Munich have set their sights on Real Madrid shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois as they scour the transfer market for a replacement for club captain Manuel Neuer.
Courtois has been with Real Madrid since 2018 when he signed from Premier League giants Chelsea for a sum of €35 million. The Belgian international endured a rough first year at the Bernabeu and could not win the fans over due to his history with local rivals Atletico Madrid, where he had spent three seasons on loan.
However, with time, Courtois has grown into a mainstay in this Real Madrid setup while establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the game currently. The 29-year-old has made 144 appearances for Los Blancos so far, conceding 139 goals while keeping 57 clean sheets, winning a La Liga title, a Spanish Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Courtois’ development into one of the most reliable goalkeepers in Europe hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Bayern Munich now casting admiring glances towards the 93-time capped Belgian international.
The German record champions are on the lookout for a long-term replacement for seasoned campaigner and club captain Manuel Neuer. The legendary German goalkeeper is very much in the final leg of his illustrious career and will soon need to be phased out of the first-team picture to be replaced with a younger, top-class option.
Bayern Munich did sign Alexander Nubel last year to groom him as the successor for Neuer, but things have not worked out for him in Bavaria, leading to a two-year loan spell with AS Monaco starting this summer. So, it becomes imperative that the German Rekordmeister identify and sign a new world-class goalkeeper to take over from their current captain.
A move for Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen has been mooted in the past, with the Catalans reportedly believed to be open to a sale. However, Courtois has now emerged as the top target for the Bundesliga champions to replace Neuer in the long run. A move for the Real Madrid superstar, however, is unlikely to materialise.
Courtois feels happy and settled at Real Madrid and even signed a new contract with the club earlier this year, extending his stay till the summer of 2026. So, a move to the Allianz Arena next summer looks like an unlikely prospect for the Belgian international
