Agent reacts to claims Rangers want to sign Russia ace, he’s free in 2023

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The agent of Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Andrey Lunev has played down ‘rumours’ surrounding his client’s future while distancing the Russia international from those Rangers links, speaking on Telegram. 

With neither Allan McGregor nor Jon McLaughlin covering themselves in glory at times this season, Rangers will be under pressure to strengthen their options between the sticks at some point in 2023. Both shot-stoppers have made high-profile errors. And it’s fair to say they are not getting any younger either.

But reports linking 30-year-old Lunev with a move to Ibrox are, according to Anton Smirnev, just that; rumours.

“We have not negotiated with any of the (supposedly interested) clubs. And we have no right to do so until at least January 1^st,” Lunev’s agent explains, via Rus Football.

“Information about Rangers, I cannot confirm. These are rumours. There is interest in Andrey. But until there is a substantial conversation with Bayer, all communication from our side is blocked.” 

Rangers need a new goalkeeper

Despite Lukas Hradecky’s error-strewn displays between the sticks during a disastrous start to the season for Leverkusen, Lunev has spent most of this season stuck on the sidelines.

The seven-time Russia international has been left on the bench for each of the club’s first three Bundesliga matches under former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich playmaker Xabi Alonso. 

“We respect the club, the management and the fans,” Smirnov adds. “Everyone treats Andrey great.

“European agents contacted us and continue to contact us with job offers at various clubs. I will only indicate the countries where the agents themselves come from: Germany, England, Spain, and Turkey.

“But there is only one answer so far – we will not discuss anything before talking with Bayer. It is necessary to change the situation, but we will see in the future.”

Lunev will be a free-agent when his Bayer Leverkusen contract expires in July 2023. By then, long-serving Rangers stopper McGregor will be 41 years of age. McLaughlin, dropped by Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s follow September’s humiliating 4-0 Old Firm derby defeat to Celtic, is a veritable whippersnapper by comparison at 35. 

Rangers reportedly looked at Jack Butland, Martin Fraisl and Berke Ozer over the summer. That was before they handed McGregor a new one-year deal.