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Manchester United have closed an agreement with Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
The goalkeeping department underwent an extensive makeover in the summer when legend David de Gea and academy product, Dean Henderson, both left the club.
Andre Onana was signed from Inter Milan and Altay Bayindir was brought in to be his understudy from Fenerbahce.
Despite impressing in certain ways, there is no doubt that Onana has not had the debut season he would have been hoping for.
The evidence for this is the 75 goals he has conceded in all competitions this season and there are still five fixtures left to play, including the FA Cup final.
Of course any keeper will struggle with a weak defence but there have also been massive errors from Onana, most recently needlessly giving away a penalty against Burnley last Saturday.
Lunin, on the other hand, has enjoyed a dream season as Real Madrid close in on another league title and are tantalisingly close to yet another Champions League final.
The Ukrainian has stood up admirably for his club while first choice keeper Thibaut Courtois has been out injured all season.
The keeper was previously linked to United just before Easter.
But now Spanish outlet Nacional (via Football 365) claim that United’s interest has intensified to the point at which they have “closed an agreement” with the keeper and he is now a priority target for the summer.
There have been reports that Real Madrid are trying to tie down the keeper to a new deal but “Florentino Perez’s attempts have been fruitless” so far.
It is also reported that if Madrid “do not reach an agreement for him to sign a new contract, they will be forced to sell him this summer, if they do not want to see him pack his bags in 12 months”, as his contract runs out in 2025.
Consequently, United “are the big favourites to welcome the Ukrainian international into their ranks.” Interestingly, the paper also states that Lunin has been given “guarantees” by Erik ten Hag “that he will be untouchable” and the new number one at United.
It is exactly for this reason that the outlet reports he has decided to leave Madrid, as they cannot promise him such status.
Whilst Lunin has been impressive this season, there must be some doubt over the veracity of the report. It seems unlikely that United will give up on Andre Onana after just one season and while they may certainly bring in a goalkeeper to replace Bayindir if he leaves, it is unlikely to be a big name and it is improbable that he would be guaranteed first team football.
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