Real Madrid are reportedly looking to bring in a replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois, with Diogo Costa emerging as a target.
According to Fichajes, Diogo Costa features on Real Madrid’s shortlist for a new goalkeeper amid the injury problems with Thibaut Courtois. The 24-year-old Portuguese international has been a sensational presence for FC Porto and is now ready to move on with Chelsea also interested in the stopper.
Real Madrid to target Diogo Costa
Thibaut Courtois has been an immense presence for Real Madrid in goal, although he has missed the whole season with an ACL problem. The Belgian recently returned to training but has since suffered a tear to his internal meniscus on the same knee, which will keep him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Real Madrid are worried about the long-term problems with the Belgian as they are open to bringing in big competition for Courtois in the summer. The idea is to bring someone to fight for the No.1 spot with the Belgian rather than only signing someone as a deputy.
Chelsea-linked Diogo Costa has emerged as a big target for Real Madrid, with Florentino Perez expressing an interest in signing the 24-year-old last summer in light of Courtois’s injury. The Real Madrid supremo ended up signing Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan, although the Spaniard has since lost his place between the sticks to Andriy Lunin.
Costa could be an exciting option for Real Madrid, considering how strong he has been with Porto over the last few years. The 24-year-old is ready for a big career challenge, and that could see him join one of the big clubs outside of Portugal, including the Spanish giants. Moreover, challenging Courtois for a place and then holding ambitions to become the club’s No.1 might trump other offers for the Portuguese international.
Real Madrid have alternative plans
Mike Maignan is also considered a big target for Real Madrid should they look to bring someone to compete with Courtois. However, the AC Milan stopper’s price point may prove problematic, and Lunin could also become an option, with the Ukrainian ready to sign a new contract with the club.
The fact that Real Madrid are searching for a new keeper shows that despite Chelsea’s willingness to sell Kepa on the cheap shows that they are not interested in the Spaniard. The on-loan stopper recently lost his place to Lunin in the pecking order and might see out the remainder of the campaign on the bench.
