Borussia Dortmund star Gregor Kobel was reportedly pursued by Premier League side Newcastle United last summer.
According to a report by German media house Bild, the Swiss international turned them down as he felt he has a greater chance of winning trophies with the BVB than the Magpies.
But the report also mentions that Kobel isn't currently looking for a transfer. His current deal with Dortmund runs until 2028 and the club is reportedly planning to extend it with a new contract.
However, another report by Spanish outlet AS claims that the 28-year-old is being discussed at Real Madrid too.
His agents are rumored to be aiming to capitalize on the stalled contract talks with their No.1 choice in goal, Thibaut Courtois, as per Bulinews.
The Belgian's current deal with Los Blancos runs out next summer but the club is pushing to extend it by another year until 2028.
But if Courtois does end up leaving Madrid next year, the Spanish giants have eyed Kobel as his replacement already, although no concrete negotiations have taken place.
According to Transfermarkt, the Swiss international is currently valued at €40 million.
Dortmund shouldn't listen to any offers
Gregor Kobel was wise to turn down Newcastle United, even if the chance to play in the Premier League (with a side capable of securing European football) appears tempting on paper.
The goalkeeper has been an instrumental figure in BVB's setup since arriving from VfB Stuttgart in 2021, emerging as their new Roman Weidenfeller.
Tall, athletic and excellent at distribution, Kobel was the best goalkeeper of the 2025-26 Bundesliga season with 15 clean sheets, at least two more than anyone else in the division.
Kobel's concentration also sees him read incoming dangers from afar and he never shies away from running out of his line to kick the ball away or take it into his stride.
He's also proved himself on the international stage with Switzerland. Most recently, the BVB custodian kept two clean sheets at the World Cup and also saved one penalty in their shootout win over Colombia in the quarter-finals.
Dortmund can expect more interests from clubs next summer if Kobel has another exceptional campaign in goal by then, especially when it's backed by trophies.
Given their history of being a feeder club, they could be tempted to sell him off for a sizeable amount instead of losing him for free the following year or for a much lower price in future when he's older.
But it's imperative for them to hang on to him. Kobel is a crown jewel in Niko Kovac's squad and there aren't many of his ilk right now too.
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