Over the last few years, Real Madrid have been moving on from the old generation of players, passing the torch to the new younger generation of Los Blancos. However, a few vets have managed to stick around through the transition, with one in particular, Thibaut Courtois, still a cornerstone.
That said, the club are reportedly starting to worry about his future and has been scouting for his successor, with Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel and Brighton's Bart Verbruggen the two goalkeepers at the top of the list.
As reported by JorgeCPicon on X, Real are preparing for life after Courtois. They consider the Belgian untouchable, and he will stay for as long as he wants, but they fear that he will likely leave sooner than they hope. As a result, Kobel or Verbruggen have emerged as his most likely long-term replacement.
Real Madrid down to two potential Courtois replacements
Courtois has been crucial to Real's achievements since his arrival in 2018 and has held his place as the world's best goalkeeper for years. Not only this season but in every season since his arrival, the 33-year-old has proven to be one of the best and most important players in the team and has carried on the incredible goalkeeping legacy left by Iker Casillas and Keylor Navas at the Bernabeu.
Despite his age, Courtois is still playing his best football, but Father Time is surely to catch up to him at some point, as it does with every player. Real are already planning for when Courtois' time ultimately comes to an end, to avoid any disaster that could result from failing to replace him adequately.
While no keeper is a perfect replacement for the Belgian, Real will do its best to find the best possible match and has identified Dortmund's Kobel and Brighton's Verbruggen as the best possible candidates for when Courtois' time comes to an end.
While Verbruggen is younger at 23 years of age compared to Kobel, who is 28, Kobel has more experience playing for a big European club; he was even between the sticks for Dortmund when Real beat them in the 2024 Champions League final. Both keepers are good at making some incredible saves and playing out from the back, so in the end it will all come down to the club's preference as to who they think is the better candidate.
One wildcard in the whole future goalkeeping situation is current backup Andriy Lunin. The Ukrainian filled in for Courtois during the 23/24 season while the Belgian was out injured and showed that he has what it takes to be the starting goalkeeper, and should be an option the club considers in the future.