Royal interest: Real Madrid set sights on Gregor Kobel | OneFootball

Even the best goalkeepers don’t get any younger. At 40, Manuel Neuer is thinking about retirement. Thibaut Courtois is already 34 as well. Real Madrid’s long-time first-choice keeper will need a successor in the not-too-distant future. Los Blancos are also looking toward Dortmund.

Courtois has been between the posts for Real since 2018, winning the Champions League in 2022 and 2024. The Belgian has made exactly 333 appearances for the capital club so far.

Courtois is also a major figure for the national team. The World Cup quarter-final against Spain (1–2) was not only his 115th appearance for his country, but also his 800th competitive match overall. The defeat to the eventual world champions had consequences. Belgium’s long-time number one was injured. In addition, his backup Senne Lammens (24) made a mistake and allowed the opponent to score the decisive goal in the 88th minute. The beneficiary was former Dortmund player Mikel Merino (30).

Like Belgium, Switzerland also bowed out in the quarter-finals. Gregor Kobel was the least to blame for the elimination. The 28-year-old BVB goalkeeper saved everything there was to save – and sometimes even more. But even he could not prevent the 1–3 defeat after extra time against Argentina.

Kobel number one in the league

kicker was also impressed and named Kobel number one in its summer rankings. The performances of the 1.96-meter giant have not gone unnoticed in Madrid either. According to information from fichajes.net, Los Blancos are taking a close look at the BVB player.

Courtois’ contract with the record champions runs until the summer of 2027. It is therefore not expected that the Merengues will make a move for Kobel and Borussia Dortmund this year.

Photo: IMAGO

The Swiss international also has competition. Porto’s Diogo Costa (26) and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen (23) complete Real’s shortlist. However, a final decision is not expected until 2027. Until then, the Madrid club will monitor the trio of Costa, Kobel, and Verbruggen throughout the season. At the same time, the next step will depend on Courtois’ performances and physical condition.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.