West Ham United are plotting a move for “promising” Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin this summer.
What’s the story?
As reported in the Sunday Mirror (via Claret and Hugh), West Ham are expected to open talks with Real Madrid this week over a loan move for Andriy Lunin. Any deal could also include the option to buy the player.
The goalkeeping situation at The London Stadium is still undecided with Lukasz Fabianski the only one staying at the club at the moment. There is potential for Alphonse Areola to remain at the club following his loan spell.
Moyes will be buzzing
Manager David Moyes will be buzzing at the opportunity to sign a goalkeeper as highly rated as Lunin, and if he can secure him permanently it will solve the position at the club once and for all.
The 23-year-old joined Madrid in 2018 for €14m (£12.3m) from Zorya Luhansk and signed a six-year deal with the Spanish giants. He has only made five appearances in total for the club, having spent a lot of time out on loan.
Should West Ham sign Lunin?
Yes
No
However, he was a part of the squad this season that lifted the La Liga trophy and most recently the Champions League after beating Premier League side Liverpool in the final.
He is currently contracted until 2024 and is paid £41k-per-week. The Mirror say he is valued at £13m, so Madrid could make their money back.
A recent loan spell with Real Oviedo saw him get a decent amount of game time, he made 20 appearances and kept 6 clean sheets. Moving to West Ham would see him tested at a completely different level and it would be good for his development.
It would be a surprise if the player didn’t want to leave, he might have dreams of succeeding Thibaut Courtois, but he needs to provide himself at a higher level first.
If West Ham are to keep up their exceptional form the in the league over the past couple of seasons then they can’t take too many risks. Would putting such an in-experienced goalkeeper between the sticks be a good idea?
Probably not, but he would likely come in as the second choice initially, and would likely get game time in the Europa Conference League and domestic competitions to prove himself capable.
AND in other news, Moyes eyes bargain West Ham swoop for £15m “cerebral” brute, he’s an upgrade on Dawson…