Everton and Liverpool are reportedly keen on Andriy Lunin.
According to a report in the Mirror (live transfer thread, 6:46pm), Everton have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Zorya Luhansk’s highly-rated goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
The report claims Everton’s new technical director Marcel Brands, recruited from PSV Eindhoven, has identified the 19-year-old as a summer transfer target though the player has been on Liverpool’s radar a while.
In a bid to bridge the gap on the top six, Everton must adopt a long-term approach similar to Tottenham Hotspur and sign players with huge potential, and Lunin certainly falls into that category.
The 6ft 3inch goalkeeper has been earning rave reviews back in his native Ukraine this past season, prompting the Ukraine national team to hand him his first senior cap despite his young age.
A report by The Sun last month listed several clubs keeping an eye on the player, and his agent Irakli Khvedeliani reportedly confirmed to reporters that top clubs had been in contact over potentially signing him.
“Various clubs in Italy, Austria and England have asked about Lunin. I don’t know whether Napoli or Roma are interested. I only learned about this through the media – but I can’t say they won’t be in touch soon,” he said.
The Sun claim his price tag was in the region of £6 million – a gamble worth taking for Everton considering his potential and how small the fee is compared to how much they shelled out for Jordon Pickford.
Signing Lunin would give Everton a long-term back-up to Pickford, while also giving the Toffees the option of cashing in on their England international in the future with the knowledge of having a ready-made replacement.
They are seemingly not alone in their interest, though, so if they wish to beat Merseyside rivals Liverpool among other clubs to his signature, they may have to act quickly.
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