According to Simon Jones of the Mail, Manchester United are interested in signing another goalkeeper this transfer window. One of their target men is now said to be Altay Bayindir of Fenerbahce, a name which seems to have come out of the blue. United hope that Bayindir will be able to motivate recently purchased goalkeeper Andre Onana to play his best football.
The 25-year-old has been the starting keeper for the Turkish club for the last couple of years and has made five appearances for the Turkish national team. A move to United gives him the chance to push for appearances in major games that will grow his brand and increase his chances of becoming a regular starter for the national team.
Manchester United Interested in Altay Bayindir
Like Onana, Bayindir Has Time To Develop
Most clubs do not sign multiple senior goalkeepers in the same transfer window. The exception is when a club sees multiple of their keepers depart in one transfer window. Old Trafford may never see David de Gea or Dean Henderson take the field between the United posts ever again, with the former having already departed from the club and the latter heading for the exit door, according to Jones.
Erik ten Hag’s plan for signings in goal is simple; acquire two who will play for the club together for years. Onana surely fits the criteria, and Bayindir could too. The Turk might not want to be second fiddle for the rest of his career, but should United come knocking it would be an offer he might not be able to refuse.
Jones also mentions another potential second-choice keeper who the Manchester club could bring in: Japanese youngster Zion Suzuki. At 20 years old, he provides a different option to Bayindir, but could be equally effective.
Bayindir Available for a Bargain Deal
With Bayindir available for only around £5 million, this deal would be a steal for United. Such a low price tag for a solid backup keeper makes signing the Turkish international seem a no-brainer, but with other clubs like Ajax interested – and likely able to offer more regular football – it may be a challenge to convince him of a move to the Theatre of Dreams.
Fenerbahce would need an immediate replacement following the departure of their number-one goalkeeper, and they have already started that process. Links to Croatian standout, and hero of their World Cup run, Dominik Livakovic are swirling around, with the Turkish giants in discussions with Dinamo Zagreb over obtaining his signature.
Main image credit: Daniel – Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
