Manchester United have launched a surprise move to sign a Manchester City star whom Pep Guardiola has previously described as “incredible”.
A Problem Position
There is a long line of areas in Ruben Amorim’s squad which need addressing this summer after the club’s worst campaign in the Premier League era.
But United’s budget is limited by the transfer mistakes of the past and the lack of European football at Old Trafford this season.
This issue is exacerbated by the struggles to offload unwanted players with Marcus Rashford having left on loan and exits yet to be found for Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia.
United have dedicated the bulk of their finances towards the attack with a double swoop for Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo having buttressed Amorim’s misfiring forward line.
The hunt for a new number is next on the menu. Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko head a two-man list with exploratory talks held for both – but either option will prove costly.
This leaves little, if any, room in the budget for other areas of the pitch – chiefly, a new goalkeeper, despite the error-strewn displays of both senior options, Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
A Raid Across Enemy Lines
United are believed to be exploring a cheaper option in goal – a player to come in and replace Bayindir and provide competition to Onana, rather than an outright upgrade on the Cameroon international – due to the limited budget.
Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens has been strongly linked with the Belgian side valuing the 23-year-old around the £17 million mark after an impressive season in the Jupiler Pro League.
But a new target has now emerged for the Red Devils – and it involves a surprise raid on a neighbour.
FootballTransfers reveals United have “made contact” with City goalkeeper Stegan Ortega in order to “explore a potential move” after Guardiola’s side completed the signing of James Trafford from Burnley this week.
“Sources have revealed that United are studying a move for Ortega, who is ready to leave Pep Guardiola’s side in the wake of their decision to sign James Trafford from Burnley. The German featured on 21 occasions for City last season but is known to want to depart in search of more game time. Man Utd could offer him this.
“No formal bid has been lodged, but the Red Devils have asked about his availability, contract situation and willingness to make the move across Manchester. According to our information, Ortega is open to discussing a deal but no final decision has been made by the 32-year-old former Arminia Bielefeld shot-stopper.”
Ortega has always impressed when deputising for City’s number one, Ederson, playing a crucial role in the Citizens’ 2023/24 title win, leading Guardiola to describe the German as “one of the best ‘keepers I’ve seen in my life.”
FootballTransfers contends Ortega is “unlikely to be particularly expensive” as he only has one year remaining on his deal at the Etihad, suiting the cheaper option United are targeting in goal.
Whether City would sanction the 32-year-old’s relocation to Old Trafford remains to be seen however, as the Blue half of Manchester has never sold a player to the Red half in their 145-year history.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
