Andrey Lunev is set to remain a free-agent for the time being with the Russia international’s agent ruling out a move to Zenit St Petersburg for a Rangers linked goalkeeper.
Tongues were set a-wagging in Russia on Thursday, Sport Express reporting that Andriy Lunev – who’s departure from Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen was confirmed back in May – was training at the home of former employers Zenit.
Lunev won three league titles between the sticks in St Petersburg between 2016 and 2021.
His return to the Gazprom Arena, however, looks destined to be a short-term one. According to Anton Smirnov, Lunev’s representative, the 31-year-old shot-stopper is simply keeping up his fitness with Zenit, rather than attempting to earn himself a contract.
Lunev will remain a free-agent, while weighing up his next move.
“Negotiations with Zenith are not present, and will not be,” Smirven writes on Telegram.
Rangers need a new goalkeeper
Lunev was linked with a move to Rangers late last year. Smirnov, at the time, neither confirmed nor denied whether or not the Scottish Premiership giants had shown an interest. Though what cannot be disputed is that a new goalkeeper is high on Mick Beale’s summer wishlist.
Allan McGregor, the club’s 41-year-old icon, is leaving upon the expiry of his contract. And, despite the impressive performances of Robby McCrorie during the season’s final few weeks, Beale believes that a new face will be arriving at Ibrox in the very near future, be it Jack Butland, Ivor Pandur, Andrey Lunev or another.
“Butland is still an option. We will announce a goalkeeper in the next 10 days or so I believe,” Beale said last week. “So it is pretty much done.”
As things stand, Butland remains the most likely addition. According to the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace’s out-of-contract Manchester United loanee held a new round of talks with Rangers in the last few days.
