Real Madrid have identified Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as an alternative should they fail to sign Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea this summer.

As per reports from Spanish outlet Don Balon, reigning European champions Real Madrid are considering a swoop for Leicester City custodian Kasper Schmeichel, who also happens to be a transfer target for Chelsea.

Madrid have been in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer, with president Florentino Perez keen on signing Chelsea’s current No.1 Thibaut Courtois before the end of the window. The Belgian international too is intent on securing a move to the Santiago Bernabeu and has made his desire to leave the Stamford Bridge very clear.

Recently, the 26-year old goalkeeper’s agent, Christophe Hentoray, pleaded with Chelsea to allow his client to leave the club, after reports emerged that the Blues were unwilling to negotiate a deal with Los Blancos over the transfer.

However, with the situation not resolving itself, Madrid are now looking to have a Plan B in place should their approach to sign Courtois fail to come to fruition. And to that end, the Spanish capital club have identified Leicester City’s Schmeichel as a viable alternative for their primary target.

The 31-year old is regarded as one of the top keepers in the Premier League and has proven to be a reliable option under the crossbar for the Foxes for a number of years. He essayed an important role in Leicester’s surprise Premier League triumph in the 2015-16 term and has continued to enhance his reputation ever since.

Real Madrid calling (Photo PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Real Madrid calling (Photo PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The Danish stopper featured 35 times in the 2017-18 season for the Foxes across all competitions, in which he managed nine clean sheets in total. Schmeichel has also proven himself on the international stages and was one of Denmark’s best player in the summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, as they made it to the Round of 16.

Schmeichel’s exploits for club and country led to Chelsea targeting him as a replacement for Courtois this summer. And now Real Madrid too have entered the fray to sign the 31-year old, in case they are unable to convince Chelsea to part with their No.1.

The 39-time capped Denmark international still has three years left on his contract with Leicester City. And the Foxes will be reluctant to sanction a sale, having already lost one of their key players, Riyad Mahrez, this summer to Manchester City.

Should Real Madrid be able to snap Schmeichel up this summer, it is unlikely that the Dane will dislodge incumbent Keylor Navas from the No.1 spot, but will offer a stronger competition to the Costa Rican international than the current second-choice keeper Kiko Casilla.

However, it remains to be seen if the Merengues actually act on the reported interest, or press ahead with their pursuit of Courtois.

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