THE Manchester United careers of either Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir could be over this month.
The extended windows in Saudi Arabia and Turkey offer a potential lifeline for United to shift Onana or Bayindir before the end of next week.
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United will listen to offers for Onana and Bayindir after the £18.2million arrival of Royal Antwerp project keeper Senne Lammens on Monday’s deadline day.
Lammens, 23, is considered a long-term signing after becoming the fourth stopper to compete with Onana, Bayindir and Tom Heaton.
With the European transfer window now closed and the goalkeeper room overgrown, United have not ruled out either a permanent transfer or a loan for Onana and Bayindir.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe still has plenty of time to shift either one, as the Saudi Pro League window shuts on September 23.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Super Lig window closes before on September 12.
SunSport understands United will not sell both Onana and Bayindir at this stage, though.
Earlier in summer, the duo made it clear that they wanted to fight for their spots and weren’t open to moves elsewhere.
After countless howlers since joining for £47.5m in 2023 and a pre-season hamstring injury, Onana lost his place as United’s No1 to Bayindir for the first three Premier League games this term.
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And the former Inter Milan star hurt his cause when he made two costly errors and failed to keep out 12 penalties in United’s shock Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby.
Onana drew interest from Saudi at the start of the summer and was linked with a switch to Turkish giants Galatasaray on deadline day as an alternative to Ederson, who later joined their rivals Fenerbahce from Manchester City.
Although Galatasaray ultimately signed Ugurcan Cakir on Monday, Onana might still choose to leave Old Trafford this month to avoid being sucked into a transfer saga during the African Cup of Nations in January.
The 29-year-old is hoping to be part of Cameroon’s squad for the upcoming Afcon, which runs from December 21 to January 18.
Meanwhile, Bayindir is also on the chopping block and could relish a return to his homeland quicker than expected.
The Turkey international finally got his chance to deputise as the first-choice keeper this season, but has failed to inspire any confidence between the sticks.
The 27-year-old was at fault for Riccardo Calafiori’s 13th-minute winner in the opening day defeat to Arsenal, before almost costing United their 3-2 win over Burnley last weekend.
Man Utd’s transfer deals
IN
- Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
- Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
- Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m
- Benjamin Sesko – from RB Leipzig – £74m
- Senne Lammens – from Royal Antwerp – £18m
TOTAL – £232.5m
OUT
- Alejandro Garnacho – to Chelsea – £40m
- Marcus Rashford – to Barcelona – Loan
- Victor Lindelof – released
- Christian Eriksen – released
- Toby Collyer – to West Brom – Loan
TOTAL – £40m
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With squad leader Heaton a popular figure amongst United’s players and fans, it could be that one of Onana or Bayindir is allowed to depart this month.
Amorim was displeased when Onana returned to Carrington after the summer holidays seeking a new contract, especially after being benched twice ahead of Newcastle and Villa, and his blunder in the Europa League final against Spurs.
His desire for fresh terms came after being with the standard 25 per cent pay cut that hit all players on the back of their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Sir Jim identified Onana, along with Antony, Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho, as “inherited” players from the previous ownership, stating some were not good enough and overpaid.
If Onana does go this summer, only Casemiro will be left to play at the club this season, with Antony sold to Real Betis and Hojlund and Sancho on loan at Napoli and Aston Villa, respectively.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
But another player who could end up in Saudi Arabia is Harry Maguire.
SunSport exclusively revealed the £85m defender is a target for two clubs in the Middle East – but would only consider a move at the end of the season.
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