Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Thibaut Courtois and David de Gea Rumours

Real Madrid are reportedly considering Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as an alternative to Manchester United’s David de Gea this summer and are said to be willing to move a host of players to fund a deal.

It was reported by Tony Banks of the Daily Express earlier this week that new Blues boss Antonio Conte will let the 23-year-old leave the club at the end of the season, and Real could swoop again, having shown interest in the Belgium international previously.

According to Fichajes.net (h/t Liam Spence of the Daily Express) Los Blancos will move for Courtois should De Gea stay at United.

The Red Devils star was set to move to the Spanish capital last summer before a deal fell through. “But now that De Gea has committed his future to United after signing a new four-year deal that runs until 2019, it could prove to be a lot harder for Real to get their man,” wrote Spence, noting that if that’s the case, they’ll turn to the Chelsea stopper.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

According to the piece, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Danilo, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, James Rodriguez, Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo are all facing uncertain futures with the club.

These numbers from WhoScored.com show that Courtois has been one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League this year:

There’s more to Courtois’ game at his best too. The former Atletico Madrid man is so assured in commanding his penalty area, using his lengthy frame to gather crosses and take the pressure off his defence.

But in recent weeks, his form has slipped, and some comments while on international duty did little to endear himself to Chelsea fans.

“I do not say 'yes,' I do not say 'no,'” when asked whether he’d be at Stamford Bridge next season by RTBF (h/t Tom Davis of Goal). “I do not know.”

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Jack Rathborn of uMAXit Football thinks that the goalkeeper’s form has been pretty poor as of late, though—something that’s far from ideal given the nature of his recent comments:

Spence's report suggests that De Gea remains Real’s priority at the end of the season, and it’s clear from the ill-fated dealings last summer that there is interest there from Los Blancos.

As a Madrid native, it’d be understandable for the player to be keen on a move too. Of course, De Gea did play for Atletico earlier in his career, but the chance of playing at the Santiago Bernabeu is something that few footballers would say, "no" to.

For Real, having a local player in their set-up would be desirable too.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Earlier in the season, AS English compared De Gea’s efforts with that of Real’s current star stopper, Keylor Navas:

Talk of a new goalkeeper is certainly a little harsh on the Costa Rican, who has excelled for Los Blancos this season.

According to BBC Sport's Simon Stone, Navas was initially scheduled to be part of the deal that would have taken De Gea to the Bernabeu, and while that could have been a significant blow to his confidence when the transfer fell through, he’s been one of the team’s best players for much of the 2015-16 season.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

As these numbers from ESPN Stats & Info show, despite not being a massively glamorous name, Navas has been superb as of late:

Of the two Premier League goalkeepers mentioned, it’s easy to see why Real would reportedly prefer De Gea. Not only is he further along in his development as a player, but he’d most likely be cheaper than Courtois—Fichajes.net/Spence reported that he is valued at £80 million by Chelsea—and a more popular choice with supporters.

It’d be peculiar for Chelsea to axe Courtois too. While he’s had struggles lately, that’s natural in the case of any young player, and eventually he’ll emerge as a more rounded goalkeeper as a result.

There are few stoppers who are as talented as the Belgian at his age at the moment, and Real would have to part with an enormous sum to get him on board.