Manchester United, Real Madrid to battle for Ligue 1 goalkeeper?

Manchester United and Real Madrid have reportedly emerged as the favourites to sign Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka this summer.

The 24-year-old has been a part of one of Europe's sternest defences this season, even though Nice have struggled for form in recent weeks.

After being Paris Saint-Germain's closest challengers for most of the season, a Champions League place is now unlikely, even though Nice still have the joint-best defensive record in Ligue 1.

Nice conceded just six goals in their first 15 league games of the season, with Bulka proving crucial in many of those shutouts.

According to Fichajes, both Man United and Real Madrid have taken notice of the goalkeeper's performances, and may look to sign him this summer.

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Real Madrid's injury crisis between the sticks

Real Madrid have been without their undisputed number one Thibaut Courtois for the entire season due to a serious knee injury, meaning that Kepa Arrizabalaga was brought in on loan from Chelsea.

However, after six years at the club, Ukrainian stopper Andriy Lunin has finally been given a run in the team, and has been favoured over Kepa by Carlo Ancelotti.

With Courtois's future availability in serious doubt though after a new setback recently, Los Blancos could go into the market for a new keeper, especially if Kepa's deal is not made permanent.

Andre Onana has faced heavy criticism in his brief Man United career so far, but remains part of the Premier League's fourth-best defence this season.

The Cameroonian keeper has had a thankless task in the United goal too, as they have faced a whopping 106 shots in just four games, and his recent performances have meant that they have only conceded seven goals from all those attempts on their goal.

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Bulka's illustrious career path

Bulka joined Chelsea's academy as a 16-year-old after numerous stints at academies across Poland, but never made a first-team appearance for the Blues.

After three years in West London, Bulka swapped Chelsea for PSG, joining on a free transfer in 2019, making two league appearances for the French giants.

Two loans to Cartagena and Chateauroux failed to work out for the Polish keeper, until he moved to Nice, where he was initially an understudy to Walter Benitez and Kasper Schmeichel.

Following the departures of those two across the past two summer transfer windows, Bulka has now become the number one at the Allianz Riviera, and taken his chance with both hands, as a move to another big club beckons.