Real Madrid News
Real Madrid see academy talent as future first-team goalkeeper and want him to stay – report
Real Madrid appear to be looking beyond their immediate goalkeeping situation, with an eye on what comes next.
Meanwhile, according to El Larguero, Madrid are also looking towards the future and have pencilled in Javi Navarro as their long-term option for the first team.
Madrid want the 19-year-old to remain at the club because they see him as a goalkeeper with the potential to become their future No. 1.
Madrid want to protect Navarro’s development
The report comes at an interesting moment for Madrid’s goalkeeping department, with the club also preparing to discuss a possible contract extension with Thibaut Courtois.
Courtois remains the established first-choice goalkeeper, and Madrid want to extend his current deal, which expires in 2027, by another season.
However, the confidence being placed in Navarro suggests the club are simultaneously thinking several years ahead.
Madrid’s priority appears to be keeping the youngster within their structure and allowing his development to continue without rushing the process.
A possible succession plan
That approach makes sense.
Replacing a goalkeeper of Courtois’ quality will eventually be one of the most difficult succession decisions Madrid have to make.
Finding the answer internally would be particularly attractive, both financially and from a squad-building perspective.
Navarro being considered a possible future goalkeeper for Madrid does not guarantee that he will automatically become the option in the future.
It depends on a number of factors, most importantly the player’s own development, and Navarro has a long way to go before he can be ready to fill such big shoes.
However, the important part is the club’s belief in his ceiling. Jose Mourinho and his coaching staff will definitely be tracking the player’s development.
Courtois’ succession is still some way off
For now, Madrid fans have nothing to worry about. The Belgian is their undisputed No. 1, and his performance against Inter Milan showed just how good he still is.
However, the only concern would be the fact that the 34-year-old has seen a steady increase in injuries over the years.
Navarro, meanwhile, needs to continue developing and performing at a high level for the reserve team.
In the coming years, it remains to be seen whether the teenager can grow to an extent where he is ready to take over from Courtois.
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
