REAL MADRID

17:52h CEST

Zinidene Zidane was always a strong advocate for Costan Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who had been the Frenchman’s first choice during his tenure at Real Madrid. But with Zizou’s departure from the Bernabeu, the club is reportedly weighing up their options for a new number one for next season. And the two most likely and viable targets could be Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois and Jan Oblak of Atlético de Madrid.

Belgian international Courtouis, who played for Atlético for three seasons from 2011 to 2014, has yet to renew his contract with Chelsea because he reportedly wants to return to Spain for family reasons. The 26-year-old’s contract ends in 2019, meaning this summer could be the ideal moment for the London club to sell him at a good price. If not, they risk him leaving as a free agent next summer.

The other option for Real is Oblak, who AS understands is open to a move away from the Wanda Metropolitano. Real Madrid have already once shown interest in signing the Slovenian, back in early 2016 before he renewed his contract with Atlético. As reported by AS at the time, Real contacted his agent and were told his release clause would be 40 million euros. But in February of that year, Atletico extended his contract until 2021, raising his salary to 3 million euros, and his release clause from 40 million to 100 million euros.

Full screen SOCCER-CHAMPIONS-CHE-ATM/ KEVIN COOMBS (REUTERS)

Courtois the more likely option

Real Madrid wouldn’t have a problem offering the 25-year-old a small salary increase, but paying the 100 million euro release clause could be an issue for Florentino Perez – especially considering that he could sign Courtois for somewhere between 30 million and 40 million euros. This would seem to make the Belgian the more likely option.

Oblak is currently in talks with Atletico about another contract extension, and the club want to raise his salary and set the release clause at 200 million euros in order to keep him at the Wanda Metropolitano. But up to now, the Slovenian has not wanted wanted to commit to anything, mainly due to the possibility of a move to Real Madrid, among other reasons (Liverpool are also very interested in bringing him to the Premier League).

But for the moment Real Madrid will not be signing anyone until the appointment of the new head coach, who will ultimately have the final say on whether to continue with Navas or bring in a new number one.