Manchester United are weighing up a bid to sign Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in the summer transfer window.
Andre Onana managed to hold onto the number one spot at United last summer, despite his struggles across an error-strewn debut season in English football following a £44million move from Inter Milan.
But a pair of potentially costly blunders in United’s 2-2 draw with Lyon convinced Ruben Amorim to take Onana out of the firing line, with Altay Bayindir deputising against Newcastle on Sunday.
Amorim’s predicament went from bad to worse, though, as a nervous-looking Bayindir – making his full Premier League debut – gifted Bruno Guimaraes the simplest of finishes to round off a resounding 4-1 win for Newcastle at St James’ Park.
It leaves Amorim with an almighty selection headache ahead of the second leg of United’s Europa League quarter-final with Lyon on Thursday night the club bosses have accepted they must begin work to find a new shot-stopper this summer.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
According to The Sun, United are among a growing list of teams keeping close tabs on Ramsdale’s situation after Southampton’s immediate return to the Championship was confirmed earlier this month.
The Red Devils are scouring the transfer market for a safe pair of hands to replace Onana and the former Arsenal ‘keeper finds himself high up on the shortlist of targets at the Theatre of Dreams.
While Ramsdale has suffered four relegations in the space of just seven years, it’s claimed United’s hierarchy view the England international as a ‘strong’ contender for the gloves due to his wealth of experience in the Premier League.
But the Old Trafford giants will likely face stiff competition from West Ham if they are to step up their pursuit of Ramsdale, with Graham Potter said to be an admirer.
Several teams overseas have also been alerted to a potential deal, but Ramsdale’s preference would be to remain in the Premier League – which he feels is his best path back into England reckoning.
Southampton signed Ramsdale from Arsenal for a fee of £25million last summer and the 26-year-old has gone on to make 26 appearances in all competitions for the struggling Saints.
Ramsdale’s current contract at St Mary’s runs through to 2028.
United are also being credited with an interest in Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen, 22, and have made enquiries over a possible agreement for the Dutch goalkeeper in the summer.
But Brighton are in no hurry to part with Verbruggen and will demand a fee in excess of £34million for the Netherlands international.
Amorim refused to confirm which goalkeeper he would select to face Lyon, but did shed some light on Onana’s reaction to being dropped against Newcastle.
‘Of course, you have to see the context. It is a normal thing,’ Amorim told Sky Sports when asked about his decision to drop Onana for Bayindir.
‘Sometimes, you have to push the player to play again, sometimes you have to let him disconnect a little bit.
‘Tomorrow, he will be in training to prepare for the next one [Lyon] so I felt that it was a good time for Andre to disconnect.
‘I think he was okay [about it] because I explained and then, you don’t need to like [it], but you understand because I explain every situation.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: ‘I’ve never seen that before’ – Thierry Henry baffled by what Man Utd star did v Newcastle
MORE: Rio Ferdinand makes prediction for Arsenal’s Champions League second leg with Real Madrid
MORE: ‘The squad is so poor’ – Gary Neville says he only trusts two Man Utd players
