Report claims Celtic are looking to Spain for Joe Hart’s successor

Celtic are reported to be interested in signing Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper is out of contract at the end of this season which mirrors the situation with Joe Hart.

If no extension can be agreed with the former England keeper Celtic will be expected to bring in a new goalkeeper with neither Scott Bain or Ben Siegrist putting pressure on Hart since he moved to the hoops in August 2021.

Transfer specialist Scott Burns of the Daily Record reports:

Celtic are considering a move for Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.

Record Sport understands the Ukraine international is one of several shot stoppers that the Hoops’ scouting team are watching and doing on-going analysis on. Spanish sources claim that Celtic had an interest in the 24-year-old in the last window but Real were reluctant to do a business because he had been given the gloves for the first two games of the season.

Lunin, since then however, has been left frustrated on the Madrid bench. The Ukrainian thought he might get his top-team chance with Thibaut Courtois out injured but Real moved to bring in Kepa Arrizbalaga on-loan from Chelsea for the season. The Spanish international has been given the nod and Lunin is now considering his situation, which has put Celtic on alert. Lunin has been with Real since 2018 since moving from Zoyra Luhansk but most of his action has been on-loan at the likes of Leganes, Valladolid and Oviedo.

Hart signed a three year deal when he moved to Celtic from Spurs and has played a massive part in the success of the club under Ange Postecoglou.

Goalkeeper had become a real problem position following the exit of Craig Gordon with Vasilis Barkas, Bain and Conor Hazard having spells in goal during the lockdown season.

Lunin is likely to have other options as his Real contract runs down but the prospect of regular first team football alongside European competitions could make Celtic an attractive option.