Espanyol make enquiry for Real Madrid star Andriy Lunin

Espanyol have reportedly made an enquiry for Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who will be allowed to leave on loan this summer.

According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has emerged as a loan target for fellow La Liga club Espanyol, who have made an enquiry to check the Ukrainian star’s availability.

Lunin signed for Real Madrid from Zorya Luhansk in the summer of 2018. Regarded as one of the most talented young goalkeepers in the game at the time, the 23-year-old has found it hard to break into the lineup at the Santiago Bernabeu owing to the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois, who is the undisputed No. 1 in goal for the Merengues.

Lunin has had three spells away on loan, having spent time at Leganes, Real Valladolid and Real Oviedo but has stayed put at the Bernabeu for the last two years. In the two seasons, however, the goalkeeper has hardly featured. During the 2021/22 campaign, the Ukrainian international featured just four times in all competitions and is unhappy with his lack of involvement.

Lunin, as a result, has been looking for a way out in the summer transfer window. Real Madrid, for their part, are reluctant to sell the 23-year-old goalkeeper but are open to the idea of loaning him out for the upcoming campaign so that he can get regular game-time and continue his development.

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West Ham United have emerged as a potential suitor for Lunin, while closer to home, Espanyol have also shown an interest in signing Lunin on loan for the upcoming campaign. The Catalan outfit are on the lookout for a replacement for Diego Lopez and have identified the Real Madrid second-choice custodian as a target.

Espanyol, to that end, have made enquiries to assess the possibility of a move in the summer. Apart from Espanyol, Lunin is also courting interest from Elche, although Real Madrid would prefer that the former Zorya Luhansk starlet signs for the Catalan outfit.

Lunin’s current contract with Real Madrid runs until 2024. But the reigning Spanish and European champions will hand the goalkeeper another new deal before loaning him out for the upcoming season. A temporary exit looks like a strong possibility for the 23-year-old, and it could be the best solution for all parties involved.