Erik ten Hag changes Man Utd transfer plan after "cannot wait forever" warning
Manchester United have turned their attentions to Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as an option to provide competition for new signing Andre Onana.
United have held an interest in signing Japan international shot-stopper Zion Suzuki from Urawa Reds but they are growing pessimistic on a deal, as the US-born goalkeeper is said to hold reservations over not being guaranteed regular first-team football.
United boss Erik ten Hag is keen to sign two new goalkeepers this summer as he aims to revamp the department at the club. Dean Henderson is likely to join Nottingham Forest in a deal worth up to £25million while David de Gea’s contract has expired and he is no longer a United player.
While the club’s transfer priorities are to sign a new No.9 with Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund their prime target, alongside the possible addition of Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina if further first-team sales are processed – but a back-up goalkeeper is also on their ‘to sign’ list.
Bayindir has been Fener’s first-choice goalkeeper across the past four seasons and the five-time capped Turkish international is attracting interest from United, say the Mail. Fenerbahce are looking at a deal to sign Croatia international goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic from Dinamo Zagreb, meaning Bayindir could be available in the region of £5million.
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In Ten Hag’s ideal squad, either Suzuki or Bayindir would provide a reliable backup option for Onana while a third goalkeeper – usually a veteran or a promising young player – would add an extra option, primarily helpful for training exercises and encouraging high standards.
Fenerbahce goalkeeper Bayındır is attracting interest from Man United (Fran Santiago/Getty Images) Have Your Say! How would you rate Man Utd’s transfer window out of 10 so far? Tell us what you think here.
Jack Butland has already left to join Rangers and Nathan Bishop has an agreement to join Sunderland, while Tom Heaton has been linked with a switch to Luton. Ten Hag’s demand is to have three goalkeepers in his senior squad, meaning that it is likely one of Heaton or Matej Kovar will be retained – but both may be should another goalkeeper not be signed.
Kovar, 23, impressed on a loan spell at Sparta Prague last season making 32 appearances having also enjoyed loan stints at Swindon and Burton Albion. He has also been capped up to Under-21 level by the Czech Republic.
Kovar has impressed in pre-season for Ten Hag's side (Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)Sparta sporting director Rosicky – a former Arsenal midfielder – has now declared that he would be interested in bringing the goalkeeper back for this season, but the club will move onto other targets if United do not give them a prompt answer on Kovar’s future.
“Yes, Matej’s return is still in play. Of course, we would be very happy if Matej was still here with us,” Rosicky, told club media. “But everything has its limits, and we cannot wait forever. If Matej doesn’t come, another goalkeeper will sign.”
The futures of Kovar, Henderson, Heaton, Suzuki and Bayindir all remain unclear but dependant on each other – with no more than two of that list likely to be in Ten Hag’s ranks by the end of the transfer window.
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