Alphonse Areola was brought in on loan as part of the deal that took Keylor Navas to Paris Saint-Germain last summer.
Areola was deemed not good enough to be the French side’s first keeper as they acquired the services of the Costa Rican from Real Madrid.
With Thibaut Courtois enjoying a whole lot of bumps in the 2018/19 season, it was wise for the Spanish giants to bring in someone who was willing to put him in his toes after Navas had decided to part ways with the club.
The Frenchman arrived with great expectations with many supporters expecting him to play as the club’s number one ahead of the Belgium international but the latter has been at his best for the current campaign which has limited Areola to just eight appearances for Madrid, with seven starts.
In his eight appearances, the 27-year-old has conceded nine goals, with four of them coming in the Copa del Rey defeat to Real Sociedad, which saw Zidane Zinedine and his men exit the competition.
His early season signs was received very well by Los Blancos supporters and his performance against Osasuna had many calling him to be the club’s first choice keeper after Courtois shambolic first half against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
At 27 years, it is unlikely the 2018 World Cup winner will still want to serve as a back-up in Spanish capital with a lot of offers expected to come his way.
Arsenal are reported to be chasing the shot-stopper’s signature to provide some competition for Bernd Leno, although the Frenchman will only be second to the German at the Emirates as well.
Andriy Lunin’s impressive form for Real Oviedo has put Madrid in a dilemma as they wish to help the youngster’s development by allowing him to serve as a substitute for Courtois.
One will say Areola just lacks the luck to push him to play consistently as first choice for a club as huge as Madrid or even PSG. It will be a good choice to seek greener pastures elsewhere with the France goalkeeping role set to be in the air in a few years time.
Would love to see Real Madrid extend Alphonse Areola’s loan deal while they move Lunin out for another loan spell?
