Celtic handed big boost as £11m ace admits he’s ‘thinking about’ transfer
Scottish champions Celtic will face a tough task luring Andriy Lunin away from Real Madrid but should be boosted by the Ukrainian’s admission that he is considering his future at the La Liga giants.
With Celtic scouring the market for a new number one and a long-term Joe Hart replacement, per the Daily Record, their hopes of tempting Real Madrid’s £11 million glovesman to Parkhead may rest largely on just how valued he feels at the Santiago Bernebau.
While hailed publicly by Carlo Ancelotti in the recent past, actions – as they say – speak louder than words. And it’s telling that, after usual number one Thibaut Courtois was ruled out for the long-term with an ACL injury, Real Madrid opted to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea rather than put their faith in Lunin.
The 24-year-old hasn’t featured even once since Kepa arrived.
One the season comes to an end – Kepa departs and Courtois returns – Lunin is likely to remain in the role of back-up too.
Celtic eye Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin
So while a regular role at Real Madrid remains his ‘dream’, it may be time for the Ukraine international to wake up and smell the freshly-roasted coffee beans.
“At the end of last season, I was thinking about (leaving Madrid),” Lunin said recently, via Madrid Xtra. “It’s normal (to consider a fresh start) when you don’t play.
“But Real Madrid has always been a dream since I was young. You don’t really want to leave. But you always want to play, you train to play, you want to feel the emotions of the games.
“We will see. Now, I’m focused on training.
“There were offers from other clubs (over the summer) but I didn’t talk to them. There was nothing serious.”
Celtic, the Record add, are watching Lunin closely while compiling reports on his strengths and weaknesses. The prospect of near-guaranteed silverware and European football should at least make the Hoops a more tempting proposition than, for instance, lower-ranking La Liga clubs.
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