Andrey’s Lunev representatives are working to secure the departing Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper a fresh start in Britain with Rangers among those linked with the soon-to-be free-agent.
There is a suspicion, however, such a move may have come a little too late.
Rangers confirmed the signing of Jack Butland on a free transfer this week; the former England international arriving from Crystal Palace after a brief spell at Manchester United.
Is there room at the Ibrox Inn for another experienced shot-stopper? That remains to be seen. Much will depend on whether Jon McLaughlin follows Allan McGregor out the door, though there is also the future of Robby McCrorie – so impressive during the final few weeks of last season – to consider.
Has Rangers move passed Andrey Lunev by?
Lunev, meanwhile, will leave Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen when his contract expires this month.
And the 31-year-old’s agent, Anton Smirnov, has ‘concluded an agreement’ with an England-based agency in order to help secure Lunev a move to Britain over the coming weeks or months.
“We’re actively working on the future of Andrey,” Smirnov tells 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.”
Base currently represents a number of Premier League stars. Heung-Min Son, Raphael Varane, Kyle Walker, James Maddison and Richarlison amog them.
They also count Ben Davies, Leon King and Nnamdi Ofoborh – three current Rangers players – among their clients. Ditto former Ibrox loanee Umar Sadiq, plus Rangers-linked duo Jonthan Panzo (Nottingham Forest) and Max Johnston (Motherwell).
Smirnov, however, suggests that Lunev wants a club where first-team football could be guaranteed. With Butland now in the door at Rangers, it’s tempting to wonder how Lunev would react if the Glasgow giants did make a move.
If he was to arrive at Ibrox, Lunev would likely find himself playing the role of back-up again.
