Real Madrid star Andriy Lunin has been offered to FC Barcelona by his agent, according to reports from El Nacional. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has been a key player for Madrid in the 2023/2024 season, helping them to the top of La Liga and into the Champions League quarterfinals where they will face Manchester City. Lunin became the number one choice for Carlo Ancelotti after Thibaut Courtois suffered an ACL injury at the start of the season. Despite initial plans to bring in Kepa on loan, Lunin has held onto his place in the starting lineup.
Lunin’s impressive performances have caught the attention of other clubs, including Manchester United, who are reportedly interested in signing him. President Florentino Perez is said to be willing to double the salary of the lowest-earning member of the squad in order to keep Lunin at the club. However, reports suggest that the player is being offered to clubs around Europe by his agent, Jorge Mendes, who has a close relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta. Barcelona already has a top goalkeeper in Marc-Andre ter Stegen, so it remains to be seen if they would be interested in signing Lunin.
The relationship between Real Madrid and Barcelona has been strained recently, with Barcelona taking issue with Madrid’s involvement in the ‘Caso Negreira’ case and accusations that they are trying to influence match officials through their TV channel. Barcelona president Laporta has criticized Madrid’s behavior, calling them an “aberration” and demanding sanctions for their conduct. It seems unlikely that the two clubs would negotiate a transfer between each other, especially with their current contentious relationship.
Despite the rumors of Lunin’s possible transfer to Barcelona, it is unclear if the move would make sense for the player given the competition he would face for a starting spot. With Courtois expected to return from injury next summer, Lunin may once again find himself on the bench if he moves to Barcelona. The player’s future remains uncertain as his agent continues to explore potential options for him. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops in the coming months and whether Lunin will remain at Real Madrid or make a move to another club.
