Real Madrid are reportedly set to face competition from La Liga rivals Villarreal in the race to sign Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina in the summer.
According to La Razon, Real Madrid have been joined by fellow Spanish club Villarreal in the battle for the signing of Napoli and Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Ospina is currently in his fourth year at Napoli after joining the club from Arsenal in 2018. Having moved to the Serie A side initially on loan, the 33-year-old’s transfer was made permanent in 2019. He has had to share minutes with Alex Meret for most of his time at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, although the Colombian has been a regular in the side in the 2021/22 season.
Of his 103 appearances for Napoli, 33 came in the recently-concluded campaign, with the former Arsenal shot-stopper managing 13 clean sheets while letting in just 28 goals. But, with his contract set to expire next month, Ospina is expected to be on the move in the summer transfer window, with Real Madrid emerging as suitors.
Real Madrid will likely enter the market for a new goalkeeper in the summer as they could need to bring in a new No. 2. Current second-choice goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is unhappy with his lack of game-time and is seeking an exit. His potential departure would leave Thibaut Courtois with no backup option.
It is something that Carlo Ancelotti’s side would have to address, and Ospina has emerged as a viable option owing to his free agency. At the same time, the 33-year-old is a familiar face for Ancelotti, with the pair having worked together at Napoli. Real Madrid are thus looking to sign the former Arsenal star and use him as Courtois’ understudy while potentially loaning Lunin out to aid his development.
However, Real Madrid will now face competition from fellow La Liga club Villarreal for the signing of the Colombian international. The Yellow Submarine will need to bring in a new custodian in the summer as Sergio Asenjo is out of contract next month, leaving Geronimo Rulli as the only goalkeeping option available at Unai Emery’s disposal.
Ospina, to that end, has been identified as a viable option. The 33-year-old could get more regular opportunities at El Madrigal than he would at Real Madrid. However, the presence of Ancelotti and the lure of winning trophies could tempt Ospina to opt to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.