Real Madrid is proactively planning for a potential future without Thibaut Courtois, despite the goalkeeper’s current status as a key player for the club. The Spanish giants are evaluating potential successors, with Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen emerging as leading candidates, according to reports.
Courtois, 33, remains under contract with Real Madrid until June 2027, but the club reportedly attempted to secure a long-term extension last year, an effort the Belgian international did not pursue. This has prompted the Madrid leadership to begin identifying potential long-term replacements, even while acknowledging Courtois’s continued importance.
Scouting reports have highlighted Kobel, 28, as a goalkeeper capable of immediately stepping into the starting role. The Swiss international has consistently delivered strong performances in the Bundesliga for Borussia Dortmund, establishing himself as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers. He is currently under contract with Dortmund until 2028 and has made 23 appearances in the Bundesliga this season.
Verbruggen, 24, represents a potential long-term project for Real Madrid. The Dutch goalkeeper has impressed since joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023, demonstrating a save percentage of 71.8 this season in the Premier League. While not yet as established as Kobel, Verbruggen’s performances in the highly competitive English top flight have drawn the attention of Real Madrid’s recruitment team.
Real Madrid’s approach is currently focused on monitoring the situation, with no immediate plans for a summer transfer. The club intends to assess Courtois’s future intentions before making any concrete moves to secure his replacement. The uncertainty surrounding Andriy Lunin’s future at the club is also contributing to the search for a new goalkeeper.
According to sources, Real Madrid recognizes Courtois as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, a two-time Champions League winner and a vital leader. Yet, the club is preparing for the possibility of his departure and is keen to identify a successor who can maintain the high standards set by the Belgian.
