'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Spanish first-division, La Liga, has witnessed a slew of excellent goalscorers over the years. From the likes of Alfredo di Stefano to Lionel Messi — many have shattered and created goal-scoring records at their will. Today, however, we will be taking some time out to celebrate their opponents — the last line of defence: goalkeepers.
With the new La Liga season only a few days away, we will be taking a look at five of the most valuable goalkeepers in the division. These goalkeepers have not only proven themselves in the Spanish top-flight but also have the potential to fetch a decent selling fee for their parent clubs. Now, without further ado, let us check out the
5 most valuable goalkeepers in La Liga at the moment
Stats by: Transfermarkt
Trending
#5 Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad) - €20 million
Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro has swiftly emerged as one of the most promising goalkeepers in La Liga.
After rising through the ranks of Athletic Bilbao’s youth academy, he joined Basconia in 2012. Following two impressive seasons, he found himself in the starting eleven of Bilbao Athletic — the reserves team of Athletic Bilbao. Unfortunately, he could not make his way into the first team, but got the limelight he deserved at Huesca, where he played on loan in 2017/18.
In June 2019, he signed a four-year deal with Athletic’s rivals, Real Sociedad, and has been a happy camper since. Last season, he made 38 appearances for La Real, keeping 14 clean sheets and conceding 38 goals.
#4 Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao) - €20 million
Spain’s current first-choice keeper, Unai Simon, is Athletic Bilbao’s goalkeeper of choice and has done more than enough to fill in for his predecessor Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Like Remiro, Simon was also a part of Athletic Club’s famed youth system. He also made his senior team debut at Basconia and was eventually called up to the Athletic Bilbao's reserves team, Bilbao Athletic. He made his first-team debut in La Liga back in 2018, and the 24-year-old has not looked back since.
Last season, Unai Simon enjoyed a commendable run in La Liga. He appeared in 37 La Liga games — 9 of which finished with a clean sheet for the Basque outfit. His overall tally of 40 conceded goals might not seem impressive as compared to other goalkeepers, but Athletic’s leaky defense should be taken into consideration.
#3 Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) - €60 million
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois became a part of La Liga in 2018, shortly after the conclusion of the World Cup.
The Belgian shot-stopper had been on Real Madrid’s wishlist for a while, and seeing him in the final stretch of his contract with Chelsea was too big a temptation for Florentino Perez to turn down. After the initial turbulence, Courtois seems to have settled in nicely at Real Madrid and is now easily one of their most important players.
The 29-year-old, who has a contract with Los Blancos until 2024, played a key role in Real Madrid’s La Liga triumph in the 2019/20 season and managed to do exceptionally well in the 20/21 campaign as well. Courtois appeared in all 38 La Liga games last season, keeping 17 clean sheets and allowing only 28 goals.
#2 Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona) - €60 million
Before Barcelona crashed and burned during the 2020/21 La Liga campaign, Marc-Andre ter Stegen was lauded as one of the most promising names in the business, with many hoping to see the German international replace the legendary Manuel Neuer in the national team.
Unfortunately, ter Stegen could not get back to his best in La Liga 20/21, which ultimately ruled him out of contention for representing the German national team. Last season, the former Borussia Monchengladbach keeper started in 31 La Liga games for the Catalan outfit, conceding 32 goals and keeping only 11 clean sheets.
ter Stegen, who is set to face stiff competition from Neto at Barcelona, must find a way to regain his best form in La Liga 21/22 or risk losing his place in the national team as well.
#1 Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) - €70 million
Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who is currently valued at a whopping 70 million euros, is the most valued goalkeeper in La Liga, and for good reason.
The Slovenian shot-stopper sealed a €16 million-move from Benfica in 2014, signing a six-year deal. The €16 million transfer became a La Liga record for goalkeepers at the time, but Atletico were more than happy with their purchase. Signed as a successor to outgoing keeper Thibaut Courtois, Oblak bagged his first individual trophy in 2015/16 — winning both the Zamora Trophy and La Liga’s goalkeeper of the season award.
Since the win in 2015/16, Oblak has emerged as an outright favorite for the Zamora and POTS awards, winning the awards four and three times, respectively, since his first win. Last season, the five-time Zamora winner kept 18 clean sheets in 38 La Liga games, beating his predecessor, Courtois, in the Zamora race.
