Real Madrid News
Official: Thibaut Courtois ruled out of Girona vs Real Madrid
In a late update, Real Madrid have officially confirmed that first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not be involved in tonight’s game against Girona FC due to gastroenteritis.
“Thibaut Courtois will not play today in the match between Girona and Real Madrid , corresponding to matchday 31 of the League (7:30 p.m.). The goalkeeper is out at the last minute due to gastroenteritis and is not traveling with the team,” the official statement read.
With Courtois out of the equation, Real Madrid have called up Mario de Luis as cover in the goalkeeping department for the trip to Girona.
Real Madrid face the Catalan club at Estadi Montilivi later tonight with an aim of keeping their recent winning streak intact.
However, they are having to do so without several important first-team players already as Karim Benzema, David Alaba, and Ferland Mendy are all out with injuries.
Even Eduardo Camavinga is struggling with a knock while Eden Hazard was ruled out of the contest due to an injury he sustained in training. Dani Ceballos is also unavailable due to suspension.
Now, Courtois also joins them on the sidelines and will not be involved against Girona later tonight. In his absence, it is certain that Andriy Lunin will start the game between the sticks.
The Ukrainian has had to deputise for Courtois on several occasions this term and has performed well. And, he will be looking to make the most of his opportunity tonight at Montilivi.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid plan to hold talks with Chelsea over €60 million-rated German international
Kai Havertz has emerged as the latest target for Real Madrid as they look to beef up the attacking unit ahead of the new season.
The club are bracing themselves for the loss of Marco Asensio, who is reportedly closing in on a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Even Dani Ceballos is facing an uncertain future at Santiago Bernabeu, though the club are making a last-gasp effort to keep hold of the midfielder.
In order to mitigate the losses, Real Madrid are planning to bring in a new attacker, with Havertz emerging as a potential candidate.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid’s plan is to hold talks with Chelsea in the next few weeks, over the possibility of Havertz’s move to the Bernabeu.
The Premier League giants seek good money for the German international, but do not consider him ‘untouchable’. The player, after all, has endured a difficult season, where his productivity has been questioned.
The former Bayer Leverkusen starlet has netted seven goals in the Premier League this past season, but the number could have easily breached the 15 mark if the forward had successfully converted most of his chances.
Chelsea, therefore, are ready to offload the German ahead of the new season. The Blues had signed the young playmaker in the summer of 2020, for an astounding €80 million. But the move has not paid off at all, with the player scoring just 32 goals in 139 appearances.
Chelsea are now keen on recouping some of that investment by asking big money for Havertz this summer. Real Madrid, for their part, are not exactly clear how much they should spend on the German, but they appear ready to take the gamble on the player.
