Peter Gulácsi, the long-serving goalkeeper of RB Leipzig, has reached an agreement on personal terms with Villarreal CF, according to Sky Germany. The potential move to Spain comes as Leipzig prepare to install Maarten Vandevoordt as their new number one.
Gulácsi, 36, has been a key figure for Die Roten Bullen for eleven years, arriving with the club during their second-tier days in Germany and establishing himself as a consistent performer throughout their rise to prominence. He played a vital role in their DFB-Pokal triumph in 2022, cementing his status as a club legend.
However, Leipzig’s decision to promote Vandevoordt, a young Belgian goalkeeper signed last summer, has opened the door for Gulácsi to seek a new challenge. Vandevoordt has been patiently waiting for an opportunity and is now poised to take the reins.
To facilitate Gulácsi’s departure, Leipzig are reportedly in discussions with Ørjan Nyland, a Norwegian international currently available on a free transfer. Nyland is familiar with the club, having spent the majority of the 2022/23 season as a backup goalkeeper for Leipzig. Bringing him back would provide experienced cover in the goalkeeping department.
The financial details of the proposed transfer to Villarreal are currently undisclosed. The move represents a significant change for Gulácsi, who has spent the vast majority of his career in the Bundesliga. Villarreal, currently managed by Marcelino, will be adding a seasoned professional to their squad as they look to consolidate their position in La Liga.
Should the transfer be completed, it will likely provide Gulácsi with regular first-team football and a new environment in the latter stages of his career, while allowing Leipzig to move forward with their plans for a younger goalkeeping setup.
