Breaking news>>President now willing to sell £12m goalkeeper who Celtic want to replace Joe Hart
Celtic could now find it quite easy to replace Joe Hart this summer when the England international retires.
Since the 36-year-old declared in February that he will hang up his boots at the end of the 2023–2024 season, Brendan Rodgers will need to find a replacement at the top of the Celtic Park lineup.
According to a Daily Record article, the Northern Irishman was interested in Real Madrid No. 13 Andriy Lunin to take Joe Hart’s place. It appears that this move may now happen.
Real Madrid now willing to sell Celtic target Andriy Lunin
Well, Thibaut Courtois had endured a nightmarish campaign with injuries, while Kepa Arrizabalaga – signed on loan from Chelsea last summer – has struggled to deputise for the Belgian.
That has seen Carlo Ancelotti turn to Lunin, and the Ukraine international has performed heroically for Real Madrid with eight clean sheets across 17 appearances in La Liga.
The 25-year-old’s rise from third choice glovesman to hero has made him a fan favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu, while he has also earned respect from Club President Florentino Perez.
As such, the Spaniard will allow Lunin to leave this summer if he chooses to depart in search of regular playing time – according to Defensa Central – with Real Madrid intending to have Courtois back as No.1 next season.
Although Real Madrid is finalizing a new deal and would love to keep the Ukrainian as a backup for the Belgium international once he returns to full fitness, the Spanish news site acknowledges that the player may prefer to play as a No. 1 elsewhere.
Brendan Rodgers may have a tough time convincing 25-year-old to replace Joe Hart
Lunin, a native of Krasnohrad who has stated in the past that he likes Real Madrid and would prefer to stay despite his lack of playing time, may be someone Rodgers will need to persuade.
As reported by Madrid Xtra in October 2023, the No. 13 for Real Madrid stated: “I was considering leaving Real Madrid at the end of the previous season.”
“Not playing is normal, but since Real Madrid has always been a dream of mine since I was a young child, you really don’t want to leave.”
Therefore, if Celtic are to recruit the Real Madrid fan favorite this summer, Rodgers will undoubtedly need to guarantee Lunin an instant No. 1 role—and maybe more.
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