Zinedine Zidane has hinted that Thibaut Courtois could be sold this summer after admitting there will be ‘no debate’ about Real Madrid’s goalkeeper next season.
Courtois was dropped by Zidane for his first game back in charge against Celta Vigo, while the Belgian also missed Sunday’s win over Huesca due to injury.
Zidane played his son, Luca, in goal for last weekend’s 3-2 victory, but remains an admirer of Keylor Navas after using him as his No 1 during his first spell at the Bernabeu.
That has led to speculation that Courtois, who has experienced a nightmare first season at Real, could be moved on when the transfer window reopens.
Zidane fuelled speculation during his press conference on Tuesday, saying: ‘
I assure you that next year there will be no debate about the goalkeeper.
‘I tell you that now. It’s going to be pretty clear.’
The Frenchman also had his say on Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane, who have both been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu.
Bale has been jeered by large sections of Real’s support in recent months and Zidane refused to confirm that he would remain at the club beyond this summer.
‘Whistles are never good. I’ve been whistled, you have to accept it. The players here have the character to deal with it,’ Zidane said.
‘Gareth’s future? We’ll talk about that at the end of the season. We have to finish the season then we’ll see.’
However, Zidane was adamant that he wants Varane to stay at the club this summer amid interest from Manchester United and Juventus.
He said: ‘I want him to stay. We don’t want a Madrid without Varane. He’s also young. He seems fine and he hasn’t told me otherwise, which is what’s important.’
Zidane will be backed in this summer’s transfer window, with Chelsea star Eden Hazard among his top targets.
Asked about his plans, he added:
‘I am speaking to the club, I have told the club what we want to do.
‘We are already doing that. At the end of the season things will be made public.’
The big question for Courtois is where will he go if Madrid decide to sell him? Two possible destinations are PSG and Manchester United, which ironically are the possible landing spots for current United #1 David de Gea. Could we see a swap of goalkeepers between United and Madrid?
