Who Manchester United’s fifth summer signing will be is set to be decided this week as Rúben Amorim continues his hunt for improvements.
Manchester United have made four signings this summer, with Rúben Amorim keen to upgrade the spine of his Old Trafford squad.
The club’s business got off to a fast start, with Matheus Cunha’s move being announced on the opening day of the transfer window and finalised two weeks later. Bryan Mbeumo indicated his desire to join United in early June, although the transfer negotiations with Brentford took six weeks to complete.
In the meantime, United also announced the signing of 18-year-old left-back Diego Leon, who surprised many at Carrington and is now considered a fringe first-team squad member.
The club then announced the blockbuster signing of striker Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig, bringing the club’s summer spending to around £214 million. However, the club are not done yet, with a midfielder and a goalkeeper still on the agenda.
United to talk with Donnarumma this week
Last season, first-choice goalkeeper André Onana left many aghast with his poor performances, and many of those surrounding the club pointed to his position as one that must be filled in the summer window.
However, as revealed by UtdDistrict back in May, Amorim has no desire to part ways with the Cameroon international, and Onana looks set to stay at Old Trafford for at least one more season.
However, with clear upgrades still required in the goalkeeping department, StrettyNews has reported that United has scheduled talks with the agent of out-of-favour Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the coming week. Should they progress well, he could become Amorim’s fifth signing of the summer.
The Italian international is being pushed out of the Parisian side due to the signing of new shot-stopper Lucas Chevalier, and Amorim is said to be keen to sign the 26-year-old due to his leadership, big-game experience, and physical presence on the pitch.
It is reported that with Donnarumma on a gross wage of around £300,000 a week at PSG, the player would have to take a wage cut to align with United’s salary structure. However, the club will present the type of contract they are prepared to offer him at Old Trafford.
Bayındır has to make way for Donnarumma
With Onana staying and third-choice shot-stopper Tom Heaton having signed a one-year contract to remain at the club for the coming campaign, it looks like Altay Bayındır would have to be the man to make way for Donnarumma’s potential arrival.
With Onana having not been involved in pre-season fixtures due to a hamstring injury, the Turkish international has stepped up and played in four of the five pre-season fixtures, including saving a penalty to defeat Fiorentina in a shootout on Saturday afternoon.
However, Bayındır is the clear understudy to Onana and has no chance of breaking through into the first-team without injury, which provides the latter with little competition for his position.
But, if the club were to secure Donnarumma, who PSG are reportedly happy to sell for between £26-28 million, this would both help Amorim have a more secure goalkeeping department and also push Onana to reclaim his spot.
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