Increased market value by 20 million
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Andriy Lunin (25) was allowed to play regularly as Real Madrid’s number one for the first time last season. The Ukrainian goalkeeper replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois (32) in 31 matches and helped the Royals to reach the final of the Champions League, among other things, while increasing his market value from 5 million to 25 million euros. This value made him one of the most valuable footballers with a contract expiring in 2025 and the most valuable goalkeeper in the world – according to “Mark” and “The Athletic“ is now over, because Lunin is said to have already extended his contract until 2028.
This summer, the world’s most valuable number two would remain in the world’s most valuable squad in limbo. Lunin struggled with the idea of taking a place behind Courtois again after a season in the spotlight, something he already did at the end of last season. The Ukrainian missed the chance to play in the 2-0 win against BVB in the Champions League final due to an infection.
Consequently, he waited for the transfer window and if an offer satisfactory to Real had been received, according to “Marca”, they would have strengthened their team again with Kepa Arrizabalaga (29), who came on loan from Chelsea in 2023/24. The latter moved to Bournemouth on August 29.
The Royals will announce Lunin’s contract extension this week and, depending on how the season goes, things could get exciting again for the Ukrainian next summer. Lunin watched the first five competitive games of 2024/25 from the bench, as he was used to for most of his time in Madrid. In 2018, he moved from Zorya Lugansk to the record champions for €8.5 million and was loaned out three times within Spain by 2020 – to date, he is one of the five most expensive goalkeepers to have changed clubs as a teenager (see statistics). This was followed by 17 games in three years for Real before he was able to prove his class as Courtois’ replacement 31 times.
