Raphael Varane backs Alphonse Areola to challenge Thibaut Courtois for top spot

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has backed Alphonse Areola to challenge Thibaut Courtois for the number one spot at the Bernabeu this season.

Areola, who came through Paris Saint-Germain's youth system, completed a season-long loan move to Madrid earlier this month, with Keylor Navas heading in the other direction.

Courtois, the club's incumbent number one, only joined Los Blancos last year following four seasons at Chelsea but struggled during his opening season at the club.

Speaking at a press conference this week, Varane told the Daily Mail: "We have been able to talk a little bit, of course. He is happy to come to Madrid.

"He will be very well received. Anything can happen in football, and we'll see if he will be able to play regularly in Madrid.

"I know his qualities. He has cards to play and I hope for him that he is going to have a good season. He is ready for it."

Real have enjoyed a busy summer of transfers, with Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Luka Jovic, Rodrygo and Alberto Soro joining for a combined total of £276.7m.

The La Liga side, following a poor 2018-19 campaign during which they had three managers, have started the new season with two draws from their opening three matches.