Manchester City Open Talks to Sign Real Madrid’s ‘Unbelievable’ Goalkeeper – Jude Bellingham Loves Him, But Bayern Munich and Vincent Kompany Are Ready to Wreck the Deal!
Hugo Viana is already getting to work ahead of what promises to be a crucial summer at Manchester City. The Portuguese administrator is set to succeed Txiki Begiristain as the club’s new Director of Football and is stepping into the role at a fascinating – and somewhat turbulent – time for the reigning Premier League champions.
The Etihad Stadium is bracing itself for major change, with club icon Kevin De Bruyne expected to bid farewell after years of excellence. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s side find themselves in an unusual position – currently sitting fifth in the Premier League table, a far cry from the dominance they’ve shown in recent years.
With question marks hanging over several key areas of the squad, Viana has begun to lay the groundwork for a transformative summer window. One of the first priorities appears to be the defence, with Manchester City reportedly making an enquiry about RB Salzburg centre-back Oumar Solet. The approach comes amid growing uncertainty over the long-term future of John Stones, whose injuries and inconsistent form have left his position in the squad under scrutiny. However, City face stiff competition from fellow Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea, both of whom are also tracking the Frenchman.
At the same time, Manchester City are said to be advancing talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential blockbuster deal for Florian Wirtz. The German wonderkid has been earmarked as Pep Guardiola’s top target for the summer, with the City boss keen to refresh his midfield options following De Bruyne’s expected exit. Wirtz’s creativity and versatility would make him a natural fit for Guardiola’s evolving tactical setup.
Now, in yet another proactive move, Manchester City have reportedly turned their attention to the goalkeeping department – with Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin emerging as a surprise target.
City Eye Real Madrid Shot-Stopper Andriy Lunin
According to a new report from Bernabeu Digital, Manchester City have officially made contact regarding a possible move for Ukraine international Andriy Lunin. The 25-year-old goalkeeper has impressed in limited opportunities at Real Madrid, operating primarily as backup to the returning Thibaut Courtois. Despite his sporadic appearances, Lunin’s performances have drawn widespread praise, and his potential remains widely acknowledged across Europe.
City’s interest, however, won’t go uncontested. Bayern Munich are also believed to be admirers of Lunin, and with Vincent Kompany now at the helm in Bavaria, Manchester City could face a familiar foe in the battle for his signature. Despite the interest from both European heavyweights, Bernabeu Digital notes that Lunin is yet to respond to either approach, and is expected to assess his options only once the current season concludes.
Should Lunin decide to leave the Santiago Bernabéu, it may ruffle a few feathers in Madrid – particularly Jude Bellingham. The England star has previously taken to Instagram to praise his teammate, describing Lunin as “unbelievable” after a standout performance earlier this season.
Lunin Likely Viewed as Successor to Ortega – Not Ederson
The Spanish report does not clarify whether Manchester City view Lunin as a potential successor to first-choice goalkeeper Ederson or as a replacement for the club’s current No.2, Stefan Ortega. However, the most likely scenario suggests that Lunin is being lined up to take Ortega’s place should the German leave the club this summer.
Interestingly, there’s a deeper connection between City and Bayer Leverkusen beyond Florian Wirtz. The Bundesliga champions are believed to be eyeing both Ortega and young midfielder James McAtee as potential makeweights in any deal involving Wirtz. City, who have often used creative swap deals to get big moves over the line, could be open to sacrificing both players to land Guardiola’s top target.
With that in mind, Ortega appears more likely to depart than Ederson – who, despite recent speculation, remains a cornerstone of Guardiola’s tactical approach. That would leave Lunin stepping in as a high-quality No.2 and potential long-term heir to the Brazilian shot-stopper.
As the summer window approaches, all signs point to a period of substantial change at Manchester City – and Hugo Viana looks determined to leave his mark early.
