Beijing time on July 21, "As" revealed a dynamic news about Real Madrid goalkeeper Lu Ning. According to reports, Lunin has given up his scheduled two-week vacation to return to Real Madrid early for training, a move by which he hopes to resolve his future as soon as possible.
Lunin could have enjoyed a vacation from the Europa League group stage and not been required to return to the team until July 25th. However, he chose to return to the training ground early to prepare for the match with his teammates who also did not participate in the Euro or Copa America. This move not only shows his professional attitude, but also reflects his urgent concern for his future career path.
Lunin's contract is set to expire in June 2025 and the addition of his agent Jorge Mendes late last year was once seen as a sign that he was on the verge of leaving Real Madrid. However, with the injury to Thibaut Courtois, Lunin was given more appearances and performed well last season, which made him start to reconsider his future. He had expressed his desire to stay in the team in interviews, but the return of Courtois at the end of the season and his outstanding performance in the Champions League final again made Lunin's prospect of staying in the team confusing.
Real Madrid welcomed the return of Lu Ning, but also realized that the goalkeeper position is increasingly competitive. With Jolo's move to Manchester United, Real Madrid has a new variable in the goalkeeper position. In addition, the return of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa has added to the complexity of the position. Kepa was reported to have received a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, but chose to turn it down and focus on his current game. The potential departure of Luening could once again open the door for Kepa to return to Real Madrid.
Lunin's performances at Real Madrid have been highly regarded, especially in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinals away to Manchester City, where he impressed fans with his outstanding play. Despite his poor performance in the Europa League, his price tag remains high. If the right offer is received, Real Madrid may consider letting him go as they know that Lunin's contract is about to expire and will not demand an exorbitant transfer fee.
