With Thibaut Courtois’ ACL injury just before the season started leaving Rael Madrid in a tough place, Andriy Lunin has done a brilliant job of stepping up in his absence.
Even though Los Blancos brought in Kepa Arrizabalaga as Courtois’ temporary replacement, Lunin has moved ahead of the Chelsea loanee and established himself as the preferred option in goal for Carlo Ancelotti.
It has not been an easy road for the Ukrainian international, but he has more than earned his spot on the back of a series of impressive performances across competitions.
Lunin’s current contract with Real Madrid stands to expire in 2025 and the club are eager to prolong his stay, more so after Courtois’ latest injury setback.
In fact, Fabrizio Romano reports that Real Madrid already have a new contract proposal ready for the in-form 25-year-old as they definitely wish for him to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Lunin has been one of the key performers for Real Madrid this season, racking up 23 appearances in all competitions in which he has kept ten clean sheets while letting in only 19 goals.
The 25-year-old has won over the trust of Ancelotti and his staff, as well as the club, who all want the goalkeeper to stay while they await Courtois’ return.
Romano does add that the final decision on whether he signs the contract or not will be up to Lunin himself.
The 25-year-old has toughed it out and proved himself at Real Madrid, but the question remains whether he would be willing to go back to being the understudy once Courtois returns to full fitness.
As such, it has been suggested that Los Blancos will not stand in his way if he wishes to leave and would promote 18-year-old Fran Gonzalez as backup goalkeeper in that scenario.
With a new contract proposal ready, the ball now lies in Lunin’s Court.