Manchester United are reportedly assessing signing an experienced goalkeeper in the winter transfer window, and Altay Bayındır could therefore leave in January.
Having not featured often last season and under former boss Erik ten Hag, Altay Bayındır has begun the season as the starting shotstopper for Manchester United.
Despite making an error to allow Arsenal to score the only goal in their opening day fixture, the Turkish international maintained his place in the starting squad, with André Onana being the second choice.
The Cameroonian keeper played the full Carabao Cup game, which saw United embarrassingly exit the competition, losing on penalties to Grimsby Town, with Onana at fault for both of the League Two side’s goals in normal time.
On deadline day, United signed the talented goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who isn’t expected to be the first-choice keeper from the outset, as can be seen by Bayındır starting between the sticks for the Manchester Derby on Sunday.
United still interested in signing experienced goalkeeper
Lammens is expected to become United’s number one goalkeeper ahead of Bayındır. Still, despite being highly rated, the Belgian lacks experience, and it remains to be seen whether the 23-year-old is ready to start for United.
In the summer window, the two main keeper targets narrowed down to two: Emi Martinez and Lammens. As reported by Ben Jacobs while speaking to The United Stand, United are reportedly open to signing a new keeper during the January window, with Martinez still said to be on the club’s radar.
Bayındır’s long-term future at United remains uncertain, as his performances have not instilled much hope in fans that he can succeed at Old Trafford, given the mistakes he has made during his time at the club.
This comes despite Amorim previously hailing the Turk as an “unbelievable” goalkeeper with whom he trusts the starting spot to.
According to Jacobs, if Lammens finds it difficult to adapt to life in the Premier League, there is a real chance that United could make a surprise move for a more experienced keeper in January, with the two-time Yashin Trophy winner remaining the main target.
Maignan emerges as a potential target
According to Jacobs, United is also monitoring Mike Maignan’s situation at AC Milan, with the possibility of signing the 30-year-old when he becomes a free agent next summer.
The Frenchman declined to sign an extension to his contract in January owing to salary demands, so at risk of losing him for nothing when the summer transfer window opens next year, they could slash their previous asking prices to recoup some sort of fee for their number one.
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The Italian side’s previously requested fee was reportedly around £68.5 million, but a fee in the region of £30 million could prove to be enough to pry Maignan away from Milan, a good fee for a goalkeeper said to be among the top keepers in the world.
It’s clear to see that United need experience between the sticks, and if Lammens struggles to get up to pace with the league, the signing of an experienced keeper like Martinez with Premier League experience will be highly beneficial for the young Belgian, who will need time to develop in his new surroundings.
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