23 August 2023 , 09:43
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Altay Bayindir had a medical with Manchester United on Tuesday - but the Red Devils haven't decided on signing him yet.
The Turkish goalkeeper, who plays for Istanbul giants Fenerbahce, has emerged as the subject of interest from Old Trafford due to Dean Henderson potentially leaving before deadline day. Henderson, 26, is wanted by both Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, hoping to finally leave United on a permanent basis and play regularly in the lead-up to next summer's European Championships.
But his departure would leave Erik ten Hag without an available understudy to new first-choice shot-stopper Andre Onana, as veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton is currently out injured and earlier this month, the Red Devils sold Czech starlet Matej Kovar to Bayer Leverkusen for just under £8million. So, as Forest and Palace battle for Henderson's signature, United have turned to Bayindir.
But who is he? Let Mirror Football answer that.
Standing at a towering 6ft 6in, the 25-year-old has established himself as one of the Turkish Super Lig's most exciting goalkeepers in recent years. Having left Ankaragucu to join Fenerbahce in 2019 less than a year after making his first senior appearance, Bayindir quickly made himself first-choice in Istanbul and his €1.5million (£1.2m) fee looked a bargain.
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By May 2021, he'd become a senior international for Turkey but has since only been able to earn five caps. Also at club level - where he spent the 2022-23 campaign as captain under former manager Jorge Jesus - Bayindir's journey hasn't been all smooth sailing. He missed 15 games at the end of last season due to a hip problem which ruled him out of Fenerbahce's Turkish Cup final win.
And injury appears to be the sticking point of his move to United, who've pursued him for a long period of time and this week sent staff to Greece, where the Athletic report that Bayindir has undergone unique medical checks. The Red Devils want to gain clarity over the seriousness of a back issue before handing proceedings to boss Erik ten Hag and triggering his €5m (£4.3m) release clause.
Manchester United are set to sign Altay Bayindir depending on his medical results (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)Having signed a new contract in March which keeps him at Fenerbahce until 2027, it appears that United have already turned Bayindir's head. His role would initially be to challenge Onana, and potentially cover for the Cameroonian should he come out of international retirement for the Africa Cup of Nations in January and February next year.
Bayindir is an impressive shot-stopper but prone to the occasional error and doesn't boast the same supreme level of passing ability as Onana. Keen to come off his line, Ten Hag will appreciate the Turkey international's proactive style, something which the recently-departed David de Gea tried and often failed to emulate over the course of last term.
Have your say! Should Man Utd sign Altay Bayindir and sell Dean Henderson? Let us know in the comments section.
Altay Bayindir has spent the last four years at Fenerbahce (Alex Nicodim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Henderson's desire for regular minutes has prompted the Red Devils into making a move for another goalkeeper. United recently made an offer for Japanese starlet Zion Suzuki, but he turned them down in favour of staying with Urawa Red Diamonds.
Ten Hag previously challenged Henderson to "fight" for his place at Old Trafford but, as he's made crystal clear on multiple occasions, the Red Devils academy graduate doesn't want another year spent sitting on the bench. Forest have been heavily tipped to sign Henderson on a permanent basis following his positive loan spell which was cut short by injury last season. However, the Premier League side reportedly want an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy next summer based on how many appearances he makes.
Palace could also seek a loan-to-buy agreement, but one with less stringent parameters which favour United's preferences and guarantees the Red Devils cash in the summer of 2024. There've already been significant changes in the goalkeeping department at United this year and the signing of Bayindir would only add another layer to the restructuring.