Real Madrid will reportedly track the progress of 21-year-old Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala with the view of signing him in future.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Julen Agirrezabala is the subject of interest from Real Madrid over a possible move in a future transfer window. The 21-year-old Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper will be closely monitored by Los Blancos this season, with an approach likely.
Julen Agirrezabala joined Athletic Bilbao’s academy from amateur youth football club Antiguoko Kirol Elkartea in 2018. And in two years, the young goalkeeper had progressed to the Basque club’s reserve side. After an impressive campaign with Bilbao Athletic, the young goalkeeper was promoted to the first-team squad at the onset of the 2021/22 season.
In August, the 21-year-old made his first-team debut for Los Leones, and he has amassed three further appearances for the club, keeping one clean sheet in the process. Agirrezabala’s progress since breaking into Athletic Bilbao’s first-team squad has not gone unnoticed, with his performances capturing the attention of Real Madrid.
The interest from Real Madrid is interesting yet understandable. That is because Andriy Lunin is unsettled at the Santiago Bernabeu after failing to establish a foothold since arriving from Zorya Luhansk in July 2018.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper has made only one appearance for Real Madrid in the last three years, embarking on loan spells at three different clubs in the same period. With Thibaut Courtois going from strength to strength with every passing season, Lunin’s fortunes are unlikely to improve. As a result, he could seek a departure from the Santiago Bernabeu, with Newcastle United among the clubs interested in him.
If Lunin is sold, Real Madrid will need to bring in a replacement, although Diego Altube could be promoted to the role of Courtois’s backup. However, if the La Liga heavyweights decide to dip their toes in the transfer market, Agirrezabala could be a viable target if he continues on his upward trajectory for the remainder of the season.
There are other goalkeepers on Real Madrid’s radar as well, including Dani Cardenas, and Los Blancos will likely have several options to choose from before taking a final call on Lunin’s replacement. As things stand, the 21-year-old goalkeeper will be closely monitored in the coming weeks and months. It remains to be seen if Real Madrid will look to prise him away from fellow La Liga club Athletic Bilbao.