Celtic have been linked with quite a few high-profile names in recent times although the club have not ended up signing any of them since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as manager in the summer. The latest such name rumoured to be on the Hoops’ radar is none other than Real Madrid goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin.
Lunin is currently the second-choice goalkeeper at Real Madrid. When Thibaut Courtois got injured earlier in the season, many would have been hoping to see him get his opportunity to be a regular starter for Los Blancos.
Instead, Real Madrid went out and signed Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan while Lunin remained a cover option. Thus, the writing seems to be on the wall for the goalkeeper whose current deal runs out next summer.
There have been rumours that Celtic are interested in signing Lunin. But one former Celtic player appears to have come out with a bitter truth about the entire situation.
Celtic offered bad news about £12 million goalkeeper
As reported by Football Insider, Frank McAvennie said:
"“I do not know if he would come to Celtic.“He would have been there on the night that Real Madrid played at Celtic Park and that was a wonderful occasion. But playing against teams like Ross County, there are not many glamour nights in Scotland.“I do not think he would move from Real Madrid. I would love it, I would love somebody from Real Madrid to come to Celtic but I just do not see that happening.“I would have thought there will be a lot of suitors for someone of that calibre, a lot of Premier League clubs needing good goalkeepers.“If he comes to Celtic and we can get two years out of him that would be ideal. Would he want to do that? Only he could make that decision.“It would be wonderful if he came to Scotland because he would be a great addition to Celtic.“"
Yes, most fans would like to see Lunin join Celtic in the future. The club are in need of a long-term solution between the posts.
Joe Hart is 36 years of age and in the final year of his contract at the club. On the other hand, they do not really have a goalkeeper who can step in and take the Englishman’s place in the team if or when he departs.
Someone like Lunin could be a long-term solution for Celtic in goal. It feels like he has been around for a while but he is still just 24 years of age. And while he might not have been able to get ahead of Courtois in the pecking order at Real Madrid, he is considered by most as an excellent goalkeeper in his own right.
That also means that there would be no lack of interest in Lunin’s signature. And it is hard to see Celtic come out on top of that transfer race.