'Obviously' - Real Madrid star has already issued his transfer verdict after 'brilliant' Arsenal offer

Andriy Lunin has already spoken about his future in detail amid ongoing links with a move to Arsenal. The Gunners find themselves searching for a new goalkeeper this summer despite already snapping up David Raya on a permanent deal on the back of a successful loan spell last season.

Raya was signed on a £27million deal, but Arsenal now look set to lose number two keeper Aaron Ramsdale, with the England number two likely to want permanent football next season. Arsenal have been linked with a number of new keepers, and Real Madrid stopper Lunin is one of them.

According to AS, the Gunners have already made a ‘brilliant offer’ to Lunin in a bid to convince him to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium. The Ukrainian is said to be considering his future having largely been a back-up keeper at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Though, Lunin was the starter for much of last season after Thibaut Courtois picked up a serious injury. Lunin became a key player last term, although he was left out of the Champions League final for the returning Courtois. It was later revealed that the Ukraine international had a heavy-hitting flu that kept him out.

But with Courtois back next season, it looks likely that the 25-year-old will be relegated back to second choice at Real Madrid, forcing him to consider his future. The complicating factor over a possible move to Arsenal is that he could well end up as a number two behind Raya, meaning it would be a sideways step in many ways, not to mention he would be walking away from the biggest club in the world.

But Lunin may feel he has a better opportunity to displace Raya than Courtois, and that is the decision he is going to have to make. Speaking in a recent interview with Marca, he said of his future: “Let’s see, let’s see. We will know soon enough.” Asked if he wants to stay, the 25-year-old added: “Obviously, but... Well, the only thing I can say is that everything went well with Madrid... And that now it's in Madrid's hands. That's what I can say about my future.”

Determined to prove himself to Carlo Ancelotti this summer, Lunin will return early to pre-season training. “Well, I've said what I wanted to say. Soon...I don't know what's going to happen either,” he added. “Instead of starting when I’m supposed to because of the vacations, I'm starting on Monday the 15th. I want to be with the team from day one because that's what I want. If I didn't want to be here, I would have taken all my vacation time, but I want to go back now and continue, because I'm at the best team in the world.”

Lunin on his big opportunity

Lunin had struggled for game time at Real Madrid after arriving in 2018, but he made as many as 31 appearances for Los Blancos last term due to Courtois’ injury. “Mentally, Madrid is demanding for everyone,” he said. “I prepared myself mentally to be the second goalkeeper and to be ready when needed, in case Tibu had any issues. But then Courtois got injured, which was the worst thing that could happen to him. It was unfortunate, because he has always given me encouragement and support. At that moment I also supported him because he deserves it like nobody else, even though it could be an opportunity for me.

“From then on, I tried to do everything I could to show that they could also win with me, that I can be the number one, that with me you can also be at ease. The first two league matches went very well, but then the coach made decisions and I had to be the second goalkeeper. Once again I had to work and wait.

“My wife helped me a lot mentally, as always through the years. It’s thanks to her that I have never been depressed. That's why, when Kepa got injured in the warm-up, I was ready. And that day I was lucky because I saved a penalty that gave me a lot of confidence and an adrenaline rush. I tried to show that we can win important things with ne, that I'm ready for the big things. That's what I want, that's what I work for every day.”