Real Madrid: Rayo ask for Lunin, De Tomás on loan
With only one senior centre-forward and goalkeeper currently at his disposal, Rayo Vallecano boss Míchel is keen to sign the Real Madrid duo.
Newly-promoted LaLiga side Rayo Vallecano go into the final stages of the transfer window with a squad still in need of significant strengthening, and have enquired about taking two players on loan from fellow capital club Real Madrid: goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and striker Raúl de Tomás.
With Kiko Casilla negotiating his departure from the Bernabéu, Lunin is currently third choice - behind Keylor Navas and Thibaut Courtois - under Julen Lopetegui. Meanwhile, Real's new head coach is willing to let De Tomás leave on loan, and a move to Rayo would see the 23-year-old return to the club where he enjoyed a successful temporary stint last season, scoring 24 league goals as Los Franjirrojos won the Segunda División championship.
Rayo coach Míchel eager for additions to squad
Rayo boss Míchel has spoken publicly of the need for signings at Rayo, admitting in the aftermath of Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Sevilla in LaLiga week 1: "We don't have enough depth in the squad." That was clear to see: in the wake of the surprising summer departure of promising youngster Lucho García for Sevilla's 'B' team, Sevilla Atlético, 17-year-old youth keeper Miguel Morro was the only back-up to number one Alberto García at the weekend.
And with veteran Javi Guerra, 36, his only out-and-out centre-forward, Míchel was forced to use Óscar Trejo as a false nine against Sevilla and add 19-year-old academy player Sergio Moreno to the bench.
Lopetegui remains undecided over Lunin future
Lopetegui has not made a firm decision on the future of Lunin, who joined Real from Zorya Luhansk for an initial 8.5m euros in June. The former Spain coach is still weighing up whether to keep the Ukrainian in his 2018/19 squad to enable him to develop alongside established stars Navas and Courtois, or - with Rayo ready to take him to Vallecas - send him out on loan to gain LaLiga experience.
De Tomás free to choose his loan destination
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will leave it to De Tomás, who recently renewed his contract until 2023, to choose his destination. Given his good relationship with Míchel, he is open to rejoining Rayo and was close to agreeing a move last week. However, the deal was held up by Sporting CP's persistent interest in the Hispano-Dominican, who - despite not playing a minute in pre-season or the early stages of the new campaign - doesn't want to rush into a decision over his future.
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