Real Madrid News
Real Madrid identify 21-year-old French star as potential Thibaut Courtois successor – report
Real Madrid have reportedly identified Toulouse goalkeeper Guillaume Restes as a potential long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois, despite moving closer to securing the Belgian’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
According to Bernabeu Digital, the Spanish giants have begun exploring goalkeeping options in the transfer market, with the 21-year-old Frenchman among the names on their shortlist.
Real Madrid could consider a move for Restes as early as next summer, with his market value estimated at around €19 million.
The interest comes as Real Madrid work towards extending Courtois’ contract.
As reported before, the Belgian goalkeeper’s current deal expires in 2027, but the club has reached a verbal agreement with him over an extension that would keep him at the Bernabeu for the 2027/28 season.
Why Real Madrid are monitoring Guillaume Restes
Restes has emerged as a potential option for Real Madrid as they assess their long-term goalkeeping plans.
The Frenchman has featured in every match for Toulouse this season and is regarded as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in French football.
At 21, he represents a younger alternative for a club looking to plan beyond its established first-choice goalkeeper.
Furthermore, his reported €19 million valuation could also make him a relatively affordable option compared with the cost of signing an established goalkeeper.
However, the interest does not mean Real Madrid have decided to replace Courtois.
Rather, Restes is currently understood to be one of several options being considered as the club evaluates its future requirements.
Courtois closes in on Real Madrid contract extension
Courtois remains central to Real Madrid’s immediate plans, with the club reportedly reaching an agreement in principle with the Belgian over a contract extension.
Both parties have reached a verbal agreement, and the new deal is expected to be signed soon.
The extension would take Courtois beyond his current contract, which expires in 2027, and keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu for the 2027/28 campaign.
Real Madrid have an interesting selection dilemma at left-back, with Marc Cucurella and Alvaro Carreras competing for a starting spot under Jose Mourinho.
While Cucurella brings experience and an established reputation, Carreras is making an increasingly convincing case to become the team’s first-choice option.
The battle between the two Spaniards is particularly relevant given Madrid’s defensive difficulties so far this season.
Mourinho is searching for greater defensive stability and has an important choice to make between Cucurella and Carreras.
Carreras offers the defensive security Madrid need
One of Carreras’ biggest strengths is his ability to defend in one-v-one situations.
The 23-year-old generally looks comfortable against direct wingers, showing patience in his positioning and making it difficult for opponents to get past him.
That defensive reliability is particularly valuable in Mourinho’s system, where full-backs can find themselves isolated when Madrid lose possession.
Cucurella, meanwhile, has occasionally looked vulnerable against opponents attacking him directly, with space opening up for crosses from his side.
With Vinicius Junior usually playing ahead of him, the former Chelsea man does not get the defensive support he needs from his winger, leaving him isolated.
However, Carreras’ case is not built entirely on defending. He is also comfortable carrying possession forward, driving into space and helping Madrid progress down the left flank.
This makes him an attractive option for a team that has struggled to progress the ball up the pitch as consistently as they would have hoped.
Cucurella still offers qualities Mourinho values
Despite the growing case for Carreras, Cucurella should not be dismissed, and his reputation should not be forgotten.
His experience, aggressive pressing and willingness to engage opponents higher up the pitch can be useful when Madrid want to pin back the opposition.
He is also capable of moving into central areas to support possession, giving Mourinho different tactical possibilities.
However, Cucurella’s attacking contributions have not always been as influential as expected during these early weeks.
The Spaniard made a name for himself at Chelsea and with Spain by getting into attacking positions and creating chances for his teammates.
At Madrid, however, with the team looking to pass the ball quickly to runners like Vinicius and Mbappe, the best aspect of Cucurella’s game has not come to the fore.
This makes defensive solidity the primary requirement for Madrid’s left-back, and it is here that Carreras seems to have an advantage over Cucurella.
Carreras deserves an extended opportunity
At this stage, Carreras has a strong argument for becoming Madrid’s preferred left-back.
His defensive qualities appear particularly suited to the team’s immediate needs, while his ability to carry possession ensures Madrid would not sacrifice much attacking potential.
Instead of treating the left-back role as a game of musical chairs, Mourinho would be better off giving one of the two an extended run to make the position their own.
Competition for places is healthy as long as it does not breed insecurity, and at the moment, Carreras seems to be in better form than Cucurella.
It will not be easy to justify benching a summer investment, but Mourinho’s job is to make those difficult calls, and it remains to be seen how he approaches this decision.
