Newcastle United are reportedly keen on signing Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, valued at €10 million by Real Madrid.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Andriy Lunin has emerged on the radar of Newcastle United over a possible move in a future transfer window. Real Madrid will not stand in the Ukrainian goalkeeper’s way if he wishes to leave the club but will demand €10 million to sell him.
Andriy Lunin joined Real Madrid from Zorya Luhansk in July 2018, and pundits across Europe tipped him for a bright future at the club. However, over the last three years, Thibaut Courtois has established himself as arguably the most consistent goalkeeper in the continent. That has come in the way of the 22-year-old’s development, with the youngster restricted to outings in cup games.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper has been sent out on loan to three different clubs, but only the spell at Real Oviedo has worked to some extent. Meanwhile, Lunin has turned out just once for Real Madrid in the last three years, which is why his frustrations have boiled over. As a result, he will likely be seeking a departure from Real Madrid soon, with Newcastle United ready to offer him an escape route out of the Santiago Bernabeu.
The interest from Newcastle United is surprising, considering Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow have been largely impressive when they have taken the field for the club. The Magpies also have a highly promising goalkeeper in Freddie Woodman, with the young Englishman rated as one of the best young goalkeepers in the country.
So, it is unclear why Newcastle might want to bolster their goalkeeping department. Nonetheless, the Tyneside club has recently been linked with several shot-stoppers, including Odysseas Vlachodimos, with Lunin also a viable target.
Newcastle United will look to sign the Ukrainian goalkeeper on a permanent deal and offer him better wages than the ones he is currently earning at Real Madrid. For their part, Real Madrid will not stand in Lunin’s way, but they will demand around €10 million in exchange for his services as they want to recoup the sum they spent to sign him.
As for Lunin’s replacement, Dani Cardenas is viewed as a possible option to take the 22-year-old’s place in the Real Madrid squad. Los Blancos could also recall Diego Altube to become Courtois’s backup if Lunin joins Newcastle in the January transfer window. It remains to be seen if Lunin’s frustrating spell with Real Madrid ends this winter.
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