Maignan emerges as the leading candidate to replace Courtois at Real Madrid

Maignan, the favourite to inherit Courtois's spot at Real Madrid

Real Madrid have stepped up their monitoring of Mike Maignan as a possible replacement for Thibaut Courtois. The AC Milan goalkeeper, one of the most reliable in Europe, has become the strongest candidate to take over between the posts for the Spanish giants. The Lombard club are already working on a defensive plan, aware of Madrid's interest.

The age controversy

The first question is whether Courtois actually needs replacing. Some argue that, despite his age, he is still at his peak and that, as Oblak — one year older — shows, the goalkeeper position is no problem for Madrid. But the balance of opinion suggests the Belgian is entering his final years as the number one and that the club prefers to plan ahead.

Another option being strongly mentioned is the Porto goalkeeper, who has reportedly already turned down Chelsea and could wait for Madrid. The field is wide open, but Maignan starts as the favourite on ability and potential.

The ugly turn in the conversation

What nobody expected was for a debate about a goalkeeper to end in a display of racism. Interest in a Black goalkeeper triggered classist and discriminatory comments that expose a segment of Spanish football still unable to move past old prejudices. Neither Madrid nor Maignan deserve that level of debate.

With Courtois in his thirties and Lunin condemned to the bench, succession is a real problem. On paper, Maignan is the solution. Milan, however, will not give him away, and Real Madrid will have to decide whether to pay the premium for the future.