Real Madrid News
Real Madrid want to renew ‘hard-working’ 23-year-old ace
Initially, Thibaut Courtois’ injury ahead of an important month ahead, including El Clasico, was thought to be problematic. However, second-choice goalkeeper Andriy Lunin has picked up the sticks brilliantly in the Belgian’s absence.
In fact, the Ukrainian goalkeeper can be credited for Real Madrid’s only clean sheet this season in the league vs Getafe. He made two saves during the game, but as a modern-day goalkeeper, Lunin adds incredible depth to the team’s fluidity.
Real Madrid are very happy with Lunin, and in particular, his ball-playing ability. As such, according to ABC (h/t MadridXtra) they want to extend his contract, but the player will take the final decision.
The 23-year-old’s contract is valid till 2024, which gives Los Blancos ample time to convince him to renew. However, they will likely not stand in his way if he wants to leave.
Carlo Ancelotti called Lunin ‘shy’, but ‘hard-working’ in one of his earlier press conferences this season. He has, however, noticed that his confidence is increasing every passing game.
This was especially evident against Barcelona, where he took a ton of risk with the ball, playing late passes to break the visitors’ first line of press.
The report also states that Lunin was disappointed about the goal he conceded against Shakhtar Donetsk away from home, and wants to learn from his ‘mistake’.
The coaching staff convinced him that it was, in no way, shape, or form, his fault, though, and that they still trust him to the best of his abilities.
Unsurprisingly, his main goal is to achieve the best of the best at Real Madrid, but faces competition from arguably the best player in his position – Courtois, who seems all set to pick up the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper at the Ballon d’Or gala tonight.
There is no way back for Eden Hazard at Real Madrid. The Belgian international has not given the management any reason to have faith in his abilities over his past four seasons at the club and is unsurprisingly the most important departure for the Merengues in the summer.
Hazard has one more year on his contract in Madrid. However, it is clear that Carlo Ancelotti does not trust him and that any potential replacement manager in the summer will echo his stance.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Fenerbahce are willing to go all out to sign Hazard this summer. The Turkish side have made the former Chelsea their prime target, yet face a steep task ahead of them.
The 32-year-old is hellbent on seeing out his contract with Los Blancos despite seeing his career sink right before his eyes. It thus becomes complicated for the party to lure away the forward, especially in a competition outside Europe’s top five leagues.
Fenerbahce attempted to sign the winger in the recently concluded winter transfer market. They reached an agreement with Real Madrid but failed to get over the line as they could not convince the player of the move.
The biggest obstacle for the Turkish side will be convincing Hazard to make the move by letting go of his lucrative contract in Madrid. The chances are slim, but not impossible.
Hazard has made just three league appearances and one start for Ancelotti’s side this season in La Liga, a steep fall from last season’s 18 and seven respectively.
His last appearance for the team came back in January when Real Madrid faced Cacereno in the Copa del Rey. In La Liga however, he last played in September 2022 in a 4-1 win over Mallorca.
