With Iker Casillas sitting on the bench, and Barca looking for a new ‘keeper, a sensational move could take place…
When Iker Casillas broke his hand at the start of this year, no one could have predicted that he would still have not reclaimed his place in the Real Madrid side. The injury did not keep him out too long, but Jose Mourinho and now Carlo Ancelotti have since preferred to start with Diego Lopez in net. Casillas is a world-class ‘keeper, one of the best around and he will be looking to move if he continues on the bench for Madrid.
Barcelona ‘keeper Victor Valdes has said that he plans to leave the Catalan club at the end of the season, and speculation has been rife over who will be brought in to replace the long-term servant of the club. They have been linked with a move for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marc-André ter Stegen who at just 21-years-old has already been impressing for a few seasons. He certainly has a lot of potential and has already appeared for his national side on three occasions. Arsenal also remain on the lookout for a new goalkeeper and are also said to be looking at ter Stegen.
Another 21-year-old Thibaut Courtois has been impressing in La Liga with Atletico Madrid and would represent a great signing for Barcelona as he already knows the league well, and is his country’s number one too. He would provide Barcelona with someone they could rely on for at least the next ten years. Courtois is only on loan at Atletico Madrid, and his parent club Chelsea would be unwilling to sell. He is seen as the successor to Petr Cech eventually, but Courtois would find it hard to turn down a move to Barca.
With Iker Casillas not currently playing, and Barcelona in need of a ‘keeper, it could represent the perfect solution. It would be one of the more fascinating transfers in recent years, akin to that of when Luis Figo joined Madrid from Barca. It is unknown whether Casillas would be willing to join his club’s rivals, but with his place in the national team at risk, it might be a sensible move. It would also obviously be a sensible move for Barcelona, with Casillas still highly regarded in the game, and the experienced 32-year-old would slot in easily at the club. Again with Arsenal looking for a ‘keeper, Arsene Wenger would surely be interested if Casillas was available.
If Barca do pursue down the route of the Real Madrid ‘keeper rather than the Atletico Madrid ‘keeper then Chelsea would be delighted. Mourinho wouldn’t want to lose Courtois especially to one of their European rivals. If they move for someone else, Ter Stegen, Casillas, whoever, then it stops Courtois from being swayed.
A Load of Balls 