Real Madrid News
29-year-old Real Madrid star expected to miss La Liga clash vs Granada – report
Real Madrid will not be able to recover goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in time to face Granada this weekend in La Liga.
This claim comes from Mario Cortegana of The Athletic, who is reporting that Kepa is unlikely to return in time for the upcoming fixture, along with midfielder Luka Modric.
What happened with Kepa?
Kepa picked up a muscle injury right before Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League clash against SC Braga before the international break.
As a result, he has gone on to miss as many as four games – against Valencia and Cadiz in La Liga and Braga and Napoli in the UEFA Champions League.
The 29-year-old resumed training after the international break and was seen being put through the motion in today’s session at Valdebebas.
As such, it was expected that the Chelsea loanee would be fit and ready in time to face Granada later this weekend, but it appears that is not the case.
With Kepa set to miss, Andriy Lunin is expected to continue between the sticks again this coming week when Real Madrid face Granada.
All ok with Bellingham, Rodrygo
Meanwhile, the report also specifies that Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo are okay and fully ready to go against Granada, after the pair picked up minor knocks against Napoli last night.
As for Modric, though, it is looking increasingly difficult for the veteran midfielder to make it back in time for the Granada encounter.
Los Blancos will also be without Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and Vinicius Jr. for the game.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid eye €40 millon-rated goalkeeper as potential Thibaut Courtois replacement
Real Madrid boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football in the form of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the Belgian is already 34 and his current contract at the club expires at the end of the season.
Although Real Madrid are keen on extending his contract, they are preparing for the possibility of life beyond the veteran goalkeeper as well.
Keeping that in mind, Real Madrid are already keeping tabs on the market and monitoring potential replacements, with Diogo Costa emerging as one of the options.
Real Madrid interested in Diogo Costa
As reported by Bernabeu Digital, Costa is among the goalkeepers Real Madrid are interested in, as they look for potential replacements for Courtois.
The Portuguese international is regarded highly and has been endorsed personally by the club’s new goalkeeping coach, Nuno Santos.
Jose Mourinho is also said to be playing a key role in driving the club’s interest in Costa, who currently plies his trade for FC Porto.
At age of just 26, Costa has established himself as the firm number one for the Portugal national team, having already won almost 50 caps.
€40 million for Costa?
Acquiring the services of Diogo Costa, though, won’t be a walk in the park for Real Madrid.
The Portuguese international is valued at around €40 million, which the club might see as steep.
But given the experience and the quality Costa offers, Real Madrid do indeed see him as the ideal candidate to replace Courtois, if necessary.
Given that he is also liked by Mourinho and Santos, there is no reason why Real Madrid will be against paying that premium for the goalkeeper, especially if Courtois ends up leaving the club.
Real Madrid, though, are also open to finding an in-house replacement for Courtois, with Javi Navarro, in particular, making a lot of waves in the lower divisions.
That being said, everything indicates Courtois will sign a new contract so there shouldn’t be any immediate need for a replacement.
