Ten Hag's elaborate Man Utd swap transfer gets green light before window shuts

24 August 2023 , 15:18

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Ten Hag's elaborate Man Utd swap transfer gets green light before window shuts

Altay Bayinder is one step closer to joining Manchester United as Fenerbahce will sign Dominik Livakovic as his replacement.

Turkish goalkeeper Bayinder has completed a medical ahead of joining United but several other moves need to fall into place before the transfer is processed. Fener have already provisionally agreed a sale with United for a minimal fee but will not sanction the move until a replacement arrives.

Livakovic has starred at international level for Croatia and is now set to join the Turkish giants from Dinamo Zagreb. Furthermore, United must complete the exit of Dean Henderson – who is wanted by Crystal Palace – before finalising the arrival of Bayinder.

United had held an interest in signing Japan international shot-stopper Zion Suzuki but the goalkeeper rejected the opportunity to join the club. Despite signing first-choice Andre Onana from Inter, Erik ten Hag has drastically reduced the bloated goalkeeper department at the club.

Matej Kovar has joined Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal, while Jack Butland and Nathan Bishop joined Rangers and Sunderland respectively. David de Gea, the club’s long-term No.1, did not have his contract renewed and remains a free agent.

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Furthermore, backup goalkeeper Tom Heaton – who was set to stay at Old Trafford despite transfer interest from Luton, who have subsequently signed Tim Krul – has sustained a calf injury and is likely to be sidelined for a number of weeks.

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Fenerbahce goalkeeper Bayındır has completed a medical for Man Utd ahead of a move (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Henderson spent last season on a loan deal at Forest, but an injury picked up in January prematurely ended his season. It had been expected that the East Midlands club would sign him on a permanent deal this summer, but instead moved for Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner.

Henderson is now on the radar of Crystal Palace with Vicente Guaita having fallen out of favour at Selhurst Park. Sam Johnstone has been the No.1 for Roy Hodgson’s side so far this season, but his error in conceding a penalty against Arsenal on Monday has hastened the club’s search for a new shot-stopper.

Ten Hag is adamant that he wants three goalkeepers in his first-team squad and plans to have Onana as first choice with Bayinder and Heaton deputising. Onana is expected to return to international duty with Cameroon – meaning he will miss a month of the season on African Cup of Nations duty.

Colin Millar