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Los Blancos has finally ended its search for World class show stopper with the signing Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee which is believed to be around £35 million. Madrid has been unsuccessfully trying to sign David De Gea from Manchester United since the transfer of their legendary keeper Iker Casillas to Porto. Golden glove winner at recently concluded World Cup, Courtois also has a rich experience of playing in Spanish La Liga. He spent three seasons on loan playing for Real's city rivals Atlético Madrid. The two-time premier league champion and former golden glove winner took over Chelsea's number one jersey from Peter Cech in 2014 and since has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the world at the club as well as at international level.
Courtois transfer has had quite a bit of impact on certain individuals and clubs for that matter. Here are some of the beneficiaries(Winners) and Losers from Thibaut Courtois transfer to Real Madrid
Loser: Keylor Navas
Navas has been Madrid's undisputed number one for last three seasons since inheriting the number 1 jersey from Casillas. With Costa Rican International between the sticks, Madrid has won one La Liga title and an astonishing three Champions League titles in last four seasons. In the process, they also became the first side in the modern era to retain the Champions League crown. Navas has been an integral part of Real's greatest period of success in last 70 years.
The Costa Rican goalkeeper has always been a target of critics despite the unprecedented success in Madrid. His blunders against Juventus and Bayern Munich in Champions League last season have been heavily criticized by fans and critics alike. With Real now signing World Cup golden glove winner Thibaut Courtois, it is highly unlikely that Navas will retain the Number one jersey. At most he is likely to get the nod in domestic cup competitions and some inconsequential European fixtures.
Navas has vowed to stay at the Bernabeu and fight for his place in the team. But considering Courtois's all-round game, previous experience in Spain and his performances for Chelsea in last 4 years, it is highly improbable for Navas to get regular football at Real Madrid again.
Winner: Kepa Arrizabalaga and Athletico Bilbao
Kepa, a former Under 19 World cup winner with Spanish National team is considered to be one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe. He had a release clause of massive €80million at Athletico Bilbao, the amount which Chelsea had to pay as they were left with very few options after the eleventh-hour departure of Courtois.
Kepa was close to joining the European Champions for only €20 million in January, but for Zidane to call off the transfer at the last moment. Kepa ended up signing a new contract at Bilbao, which also allowed the club to insert €80 million by out clause in his contract.
Chelsea had to lure Kepa with improved after-tax salary, a seven-year contract, and guaranteed first-team football. Bilbao also got a great deal on their goalkeeper, who graduated from their own academy
Loser: Chelsea
Chelsea had to let off one of their prime assets, one the most consistent player in last six years, their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. That too for a reported transfer fee of mere £35 million. This highlights the failure of Chelsea management to allow their keeper to float into the last 12 months of his contract. Especially considering the fact that Courtois family resides in Madrid and in past he has often spoken about his intentions to reunite with them. Adding to the fact that Real Madrid were on a lookout for World Class shot-stopper since the departure of Casillas. Chelsea's failure to tie him down on long-term contract eventually cost them huge transfer fee, which they could have demanded from Madrid.
Due to Courtois imminent transfer, Chelsea had to splash whopping €80 million on a relatively young and unknown Spanish International keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao. It was a surprising move from Chelsea considering they had cheaper and proven Premier League goalkeepers like Jack Butland and Kasper Schmeichel available in the market for less than half of Kepa's transfer fee. Kepa who has just played two full seasons in La Liga is a young and talented keeper, but considering Liverpool paid 65 million for Brazil's No 1 short stopper like Alisson, one feels Chelsea massively overpaid for Arrizabalaga's services.
Winner: Manchester United
Manchester United and Jose Mourinho will be mighty pleased with Courtois Real Madrid transfer. Real have been unsuccessfully trying to lure Spain's No.1 David De Gea to Bernabau for last three seasons. They almost managed to sign him back in 2015 but the potential transfer collapsed as the paperwork was not submitted on time. De Gea has since remained loyal to Manchester United, even signing an improved contract back in 2015.
In spite of signing a new contract, constant media speculation and rumors linking De Gea to Madrid in an imminent move continued to haunt the Red Devils hierarchy. With Courtois now moving to Madrid, this speculations and Real Madrid's pursuit of De Gea will forever end. United fans and management can now rest assured and will be hoping to see De Gea sign a new long-term contract as soon as possible.
