Manchester United have already submitted an offer for a new goalkeeper following the news that Andre Onana has been ruled out of pre-season with a hamstring injury.
It had been widely reported that despite Onana’s error-strewn 2024/25 season, INEOS were reluctant to dip into the market for a new keeper, given their budgetary constraints.
However, the fresh injury appears to have been enough to tip the balance in favour of strengthening, and United have acted quickly to secure reinforcements.
A South American keeper, but not the one we were expecting
According to numerous reports, Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez was top of United’s list to bolster their goalkeeping ranks.
Martinez is reportedly keen for a new adventure, but finding an agreement on price was always going to be difficult for the cash-strapped Mancunians.
Enter Botafogo’s John Victor, commonly known as John.
United have made an offer
According to Goal Brasil, the Red Devils have made a bid for John, although the outlet does not state whether they have yet met his $8m US dollar (£5.9m) release clause.
The outlet says “the … goalkeeper has an offer from Manchester United.
“The British club is willing to pay the player’s release clause to lure him away from General Severiano in the transfer market. The contract stipulates a payment of US$8 million (R$44.5 million at the current exchange rate) for the 29-year-old goalkeeper.”
Botafogo seem resigned to losing their number one and have already identified his replacement, Atletico MG’s Matheus Mendes.
With the impressive Radek Vitek also tipped to have a chance to impress in pre-season, it is unclear where this leaves current backup keeper, Altay Bayindir, or indeed, Onana himself.
Featured image Buda Mendes via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
