Real Madrid have reportedly admitted defeat in their pursuit of David de Gea and will instead focus on Chelsea stopper Thibaut Courtois in their search for a new goalkeeper.
The Spanish and European champions are said to be on the lookout for a new number one and are willing to wait until the end of the season before making their move.
De Gea has been Madrid's first-choice target for a number of years, coming particularly close to joining on summer deadline day in 2015, but Los Blancos fear that he will take up Manchester United's offer of a new contract.
According to the Daily Mail, Courtois is therefore seen as the standout candidate to succeed Keylor Navas between the Bernabeu sticks, while Athletic Bilbao glovesman Kepa Arrizabalaga is another option.
Belgium international Courtois, no stranger to being linked with Real, previously spent three years at city rivals Atletico Madrid before establishing himself in West London.
Daniel Lewis
