Five potential replacements for Andriy Lunin at Real Madrid

Andriy Lunin emerged as Real Madrid’s saviour last season, stepping up admirably in place of Thibaut Courtois in goal.

Emulating the Belgian’s ability to step up in big games, Lunin heroically produced many prominent displays when the stakes were highest, particularly in the UEFA Champions League against RB Leipzig and Manchester City.

Lunin started at the bottom of the goalkeeping hierarchy, having to surpass Kepa Arrizabalaga before cementing his place as a regular starter in the lineup.

Despite going on an impressive streak, he could not retain his place in the team upon Courtois’ return. And Lunin was demoted to a second-fiddle role in the closing stages of the campaign due to the Belgian’s immense pedigree and status at Real Madrid.

Following his exceptional campaign, though, Lunin is now hesitant to remain as a backup goalkeeper.

Yet to respond to Real Madrid’s contract renewal offer, he is seriously contemplating a departure from Real Madrid in search of regular first-team opportunities elsewhere

In the event that the 25-year-old hits the exit door, Real Madrid will be compelled to once again scour the goalkeeper market, just as they did last summer.

Here are five potential replacements for the Ukranian star.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

As uncertainty clouds Lunin’s future, Kepa could find himself back in the royal white jersey after just recently hitting the exit door. Real Madrid values Kepa’s worth as a back-up goalie, especially since he has already acclimated to the club.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly receptive to the Spaniard’s departure and would not pose many roadblocks if he leaves on loan for a successive transfer window.

In fact, Kepa is also eager to reunite with Los Blancos, with reports mentioning that he is ready to reject lucrative deals from Saudi Arabia in a bid to return to the Spanish capital.

Joan Garcia

Real Madrid have reportedly set their sights on Joan Garcia, the 23-year-old goalkeeper from Espanyol, who enjoyed a stellar campaign last season.

Rising to prominence as a starter earlier this year, Garcia has become a pivotal figure for the team that was riddled with relegation in 2023. His standout performances have played a crucial role in Espanyol’s successful promotion campaign back to the top flight.

With such credentials, Garcia presents an intriguing prospect for Real Madrid, although they may face fierce competition from English clubs for his signature.

Considering his age and high ceiling, Joan Garcia stands as an investment for the future, while also being able to chime in whenever Courtois is unavailable. Experience in Spain also renders him an appealing option.

David de Gea

David de Gea is a familiar name in the Madrid newspapers, having been linked with the club for the past several years.

Last summer, Real Madrid were on the brink of securing De Gea on a free transfer before opting for Kepa instead.

Now, with De Gea still without a club, he remains an enticing option once again. Despite being 33 years old and nearing the twilight of his career, his vast experience at the highest level with Manchester United makes him a dependable choice.

Moreover, De Gea could be a cost-effective solution for the Merengues. With Real Madrid already keeping tabs on several targets to bolster other areas of the squad, they may be compelled to penny-pinch in the goalkeeping department.

Diogo Costa

Diogo Costa recently bowed out of the UEFA Euro but enjoyed a match-winning display against Slovenia, where he pulled off many incredible saves and eventually won the game for Portugal in penalty shootouts.

While the new president of FC Porto Andre Villas-Boas has no desire to sell him, Costa’s agent Jorge Mendes could pull some strings behind the scenes. In fact, reports have mentioned that if Lunin departs, Mendes could offer Costa as an alternative.

Acquiring a goalkeeper who is a nailed starter for his national team and is on the ascendancy would certainly allow Real Madrid to adeptly fill Lunin’s big boots.

But given that he is an important player for both club and country, signing Costa solely as a backup option is not expected to be a walk in the park.

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Another player who enjoyed a dominant Euro campaign is Giorgi Mamardashvili, who arguably cemented himself as the best goalkeeper of the tournament with Georgia.

Mamardashvili plies his trade for Valencia and is considered an incredibly complete goalkeeper, known for his sharp reflexes and ability to play out from the back.

Before settling for the signing of Kepa last summer, Mamardashvili was one of the names on Real Madrid’s radar. As such, interest in him could once again be reinvigorated with the club now seeking Lunin’s replacement.

However, securing him on a temporary loan deal seems unlikely, especially since Valencia previously rejected such a proposition from Real Madrid, and Mamardashvili’s importance has only increased since then.