Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will approve sale of backup star if right proposal arrives
According to a report from AS, it has come to light that Real Madrid are open to letting Andriy Lunin leave this summer if the right offer comes along.
The outlet mentions that while the club is not actively pushing him out, they are aware of his situation and won’t stand in his way should a suitable deal arrive.
Lunin’s journey at Real Madrid has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. The Ukrainian stepped up impressively during Thibaut Courtois’ long injury layoff, delivering top performances and proving he could handle the pressure of wearing the gloves for Los Blancos.
However, with Courtois now fully fit and back in the mix, the writing appears to be on the wall.
Despite Lunin having a long-term contract, the harsh reality is that Courtois is still considered the club’s undisputed number one.
The Belgian’s current deal runs until June 2026, but a renewal is already in place that will keep him at the club until 2028.
That gives Courtois a clear pathway to remain Madrid’s first-choice keeper, leaving Lunin once again facing a backup role.
Could leave after Club World Cup
The timing of Lunin’s potential exit could depend on the outcome of the FIFA Club World Cup, where he is once again not expected to play a part.
Once the tournament concludes, the club and player are expected to sit down and review all options on the table.
Real Madrid’s stance is simple that if a club comes forward with an offer that suits both Lunin and the club, they will consider it seriously.
Lunin wants to play regularly, and with Courtois locked in for the long haul, that opportunity might not come in Madrid.
A summer transfer could be the best solution for all involved, as the Ukrainian goalkeeper looks to take the next big step in his career.
After a disappointing defeat to Real Betis, Real Madrid returned to winning ways on Tuesday night, following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Inter Milan.
It was a tense game for Los Blancos, who had to hold on to their slender advantage in the last stretch of the game and were unable to score more goals after an early flurry that saw them gain a 2-0 advantage.
A worrying trend in front of goal
According to MARCA, Real Madrid lead all of Europe in big chances created with 27, but they also top a far less flattering chart, having squandered 19 of them.
That means Real Madrid are missing seven out of every ten clear opportunities they generate, the worst conversion rate on the continent.
Barcelona follow closely with the same number of chances created but a superior return, having wasted 15.
The issue has become a recurring theme in recent matches. Against Betis, Real Madrid dominated and accumulated three expected goals, including a penalty missed by Kylian Mbappe, yet still contrived to lose.
Against Inter, they again peppered the goal without the necessary precision to kill the game off.
Courtois to the rescue
The victory over Inter owed much to a superb performance from Thibaut Courtois, who produced several crucial saves to preserve the three points.
The two Real Madrid goals bore Mourinho’s trademark, both stemming from high pressing. Mbappe forced an error before finishing off Brahim Diaz’s assist, while Federico Valverde capitalised on hesitation from goalkeeper Josep Martinez.
However, having eased into a 2-0 lead, Real Madrid again passed up chance after chance, allowing Inter back into the contest through Lautaro Martinez’s late goal.
It must be noted Real Madrid had 35.6% possession against Inter ranking among the lowest recorded for the club in the Champions League.
For Mourinho, the ideal is clear: winning by finishing off the chances his side create. If Real Madrid can start converting at a rate befitting their creativity, they will become an even more fearsome proposition.
