Real Madrid could make Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer their number one target to replace Iker Casillas in goal, FootballDirectNews.com understands.
The Spanish giants are ready to spend big to replace their long-serving shot-stopper, who has become unsettled at the Bernabeu after becoming a backup to Diego Lopez for much of the last year. Casillas was first dropped from the starting lineup by previous boss Jose Mourinho, and has continued to warm the bench under Carlo Ancelotti this term, making a summer exit from the club look likely.
Real have been linked with a number of possible replacements for the 32-year-old, including two from the Premier League in David de Gea of Manchester United and Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic.
However, reports today suggest that de Gea could be set to renew his contract at Old Trafford, leaving Neuer as the top priority signing for the summer transfer window, according to a European football insider. Neuer has developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the world in recent years, and it seems unlikely that Bayern will let him leave cheap, but Real have a good track record of paying the money required to land their main targets.
