Real Madrid target explains why he did not sign for the club

Real Madrid have begun their 2023/2024 season a very high note on a sporting level. From the first four games in La Liga, the team has managed to maintain a hundred percent win record.

However, the start to the season has not been all so smooth. Carlo Ancelotti’s men begun the season without arguable their most important man, Thibaut Courtois.

The injury to Courtois

The Belgian goalkeeper was injured in training forty eight hours before Los Blancos’ first league game of the season against Athletic Club.

It was later confirmed by the club, after further medical checks, that he has tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

This would keep him out for the most part of the season, or the entire campaign.

Little or no trust in Lunin

The coaching staff did not have much trust in Andriy Lunin, the Ukrainian backup goalkeeper. It was certain that the club will sign a goalkeeper following the injury to Courtois.

Head coach Carlo Ancelotti in the press conferences following the injury assured that there was confidence in the Ukrainian: “We give all the confidence in the world to Lunin, who is a great goalkeeper.

“In the pre-season he did well. Total confidence in him, we think he is a talent. What he lacks is what everyone lacks, the experience, but he will take it little by little.”

“We have time until the 31st, behind Lunin the goalkeepers have potential, but they are young. We will think about it.”

“Fran is 17 years old, if we sign we will do it by number, because we have confidence in Lunin,” the coach said.

There were reports that the club had Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou as a priority signing. The Moroccan however did not join the Spanish giants and ended up signing for Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Bounou outlines the reasons

In an interview with Canal Sur Radio, the 32-year-old outlined the reasons his signing never happened: “My understanding is that I was Real Madrid’s first option, yes. Then, their board took a look at the situation and the fact that I could miss many games in a crucial month for Real Madrid because of the Africa Cup of Nations and the deal couldn’t come to fruition.”

“Furthermore, they also had a few options for a loan deal and that was convenient for them. The Africa Cup of Nations affected this transfer window in many ways.”

Real Madrid ended up with Chelsea outcast Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spaniard did not hesitate when the club placed a call.

Kepa has already debuted for Real Madrid and is the first choice goalkeeper ahead of Andriy Lunin.

For Real Madrid however, the chance to sign the Spanish goalkeeper on loan was one of the main factors that led to his signing.

Los Blancos did not want to invest so much in what happened to be an emergency signing.

Kepa joins Real Madrid on loan for a season, but hopes to continue at the club, which he is set to prove with good performances throughout the season.

Thibaut Courtois has already undergone surgery and is working on his recovery.

Some sources report that he will be back in action for Real Madrid in April, before the seasons comes to an end.