Luis Enrique wants PSG to sign Real Madrid superstar

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 14 Jul 2023 18:34 BST
• 3 min read

Kylian Mbappe isn't the only player who could transfer between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid this summer, with new PSG boss Luis Enrique shortlisting Thibaut Courtois as a Gigio Donarumma replacement.

Madrid's pursuit of Mbappe is well documented, and Enrique will have to think hard about his attack in the French capital should his star striker leave, but he is already considering what his defence should look like next season.

Italy No.1 Donnarumma has a big reputation, and his form in 2021/22 was why Paris allowed former Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas to leave on loan for Nottingham Forest in January.

READ: Real Madrid prepare €840m Mbappe deal and pick France star’s squad number

But he only ended up keeping 14 clean sheets in 48 games in all competitions last season, and doubts remain about his ability to play out from the back with his feet. It is a problem Enrique has reportedly been given carte blanche to rectify.

Luis Enrique's 'project'

"Luis Enrique wants to start a new project almost from scratch at PSG," report Defensa Central. "He has the full confidence of the club, is armed with a two-year contract with an option of a third, and has asked that they sign the Real Madrid goalkeeper [Courtois]."

They doubt, however, that PSG would be able to persuade los Blancos to part ways with their No.1, who's ability on the ball has improved in recent years - if not yet to the level of his shot-stopping prowess.

READ: Courtois reveals truth on Lukaku-Belgium fall-out

Courtois is valued at €56.1m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, and Real would likely demand a world record fee for a goalkeeper, surpassing the €80m Chelsea paid Athletic Bilbao for Courtois' successor Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018, if they were to sanction his sale.

David de Gea, now available on a free after his release from Manchester United, might be a more viable alternative, whilst PSG have also shortlisted Kepa and Tottenham Hotspur's Hugo Lloris, according to reports.