Andrey Lunev is now in talks over a move to Turkey with Fatih Karagumruk as a potential Rangers switch becomes increasingly unlikely.
Has the Ibrox door closed for the free-agent goalkeeper?
Maybe not quite yet. According to Football Scotland, Rangers boss Mick Beale has told Jon McLaughlin he is free to follow Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Scott Arfield and co out the door.
But with Jack Butland arriving from Crystal Palace and with Robby McCrorie impressing during the final few weeks of last season, another shot-stopper is not quite as necessary now as it was at the start of the summer.
Rangers move now unlikely for Andrey Lunev
Lunev has been linked, albeit somewhat tenuously, with Rangers since late last year. The Moscow-born 31-year-old has since become a free-agent, his contract at Bayer Leverkusen expiring.
According to Lunev’s agent, however, talks over a move to the Turkish Super Lig are now ‘underway’.
“Yes, negotiations are underway with Fatih Karagumruk,” Anton Smirnov tells RB Sport. “But not only with this club.
“I confirm the interest of Fatih Karagyumruk.”
Karagumrunk finished seventh in the Super Lig last term. They have recently been coached by former Italy international Andrea Pirlo and Francesco Farioli; the 34-year-old managerial whizzkid who held talks with both Rangers and Old Firm rivals Celtic before the appointments of Beale and Brendan Rodgers.
Smirnov, meanwhile, is still hoping to drum up interest from British-based clubs for his unnattached client. Even if Rangers may now be ready to settle on Butland and McCrorie for next term.
“We’re actively working on the future of Andrey,” Smirnov told Sport24.
“We have concluded an agreement with the English agency company Base. Which, until the end of the summer registration period, will work on the possible employment of Andrey in the UK market. We are working on other options as well.”
Rangers have signed four new players this summer; Butland, Kieran Dowell, Sam Lammers and Dujon Sterling. Jose Cifuentes is expected to arrive sooner or later, though a deal for Cremonese striker Cyriel Dessers is now in doubt.
