Manchester United have reportedly begun talks to re-sign a former goalkeeper, as Ruben Amorim looks to bolster his squad following a dismal first domestic campaign.
Both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have struggled between the sticks for United in recent months, with the No 1 stopper, in particular, putting in a string of poor performances.
United are said to be preparing for a busy summer transfer window after what has been the club’s worst Premier League campaign in their history.
The goalkeeper position is believed to be one of the many positions where Amorim and the Red Devils’ hierarchy are looking to improve.
Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who started his professional career at Old Trafford, has been added to United’s shortlist of potential signings, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The 20-time English champions are believed to have initiated contact with Milinkovic-Savic’s representatives as they seek to bring the Serbian back to the club.
Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Torino keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
The Serbian keeper started his professional career at Old Trafford, spending a year at the club
Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have both come under the spotlight of late after poor displays
The goalkeeper spent a solitary year at United, signing for the club from Vojvodina in 2014 at 17 years old.
However, the Serbian never made a senior appearance for the club due to work permit problems, and after one loan spell back at Vojvodina, he was moved on.
Milinkovic-Savic – the younger brother of former Lazio star Sergej – has been on the books at Torino since 2017.
The stopper has played a major role for Torino this campaign, keeping 10 clean sheets in Serie A.
Despite this, it is widely believed that Milinkovic-Savic will leave the club this summer, with several Italian sides also interested in acquiring his services.
Concerns over the long-term suitability of Onana as United’s starting goalkeeper have come to fruition in recent weeks.
Just weeks ago, the Cameroonian was lambasted by both fans and the media for a pair of howlers in the Europa League quarter-final first-leg draw with Lyon.
Fortunately for him, his team-mates pulled off a miraculous comeback in the second leg at Old Trafford.
Concerns over the suitability of Onana as United’s No 1 have come to fruition this campaign
Bayindir has conceded eight goals in just two Premier League appearances this season
However, his blunders from that game prompted Amorim to drop him from the squad for the Premier League clash against Newcastle.
But in Onana’s absence, Bayindir failed his audition and displayed his frailties, particularly with the ball at his feet, and conceded four goals. A feat which he repeated away at Brentford at the weekend.
As a result, United are likely to dip into the market to bring in a new keeper, and they are reportedly targeting Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kaua Santos and Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, in addition to Milinkovic-Savic.
Interest elsewhere does not necessarily condemn current No 1 Onana to the Old Trafford exit, however.
