Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Turkish side Trabzonspor for the loan transfer of goalkeeper André Onana. The Cameroonian international is reportedly open to finalizing the move before Turkey’s transfer window closes on Friday.
Onana has seen limited playing time this season, with his only start coming in United’s Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby, where he was at fault for both goals during regular time. The 29-year-old has been displaced as first-choice goalkeeper by Altay Bayindir.
The potential departure comes shortly after United secured the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp in a €21 million deal. Manager Ruben Amorim now has four senior goalkeepers at his disposal, including veteran Tom Heaton.
While Amorim had initially been comfortable with his goalkeeping options despite Onana’s expected participation in the African Cup of Nations, Trabzonspor’s interest has prompted a reconsideration of the situation.
However, Onana’s potential exit could leave United exposed between the posts. Bayindir has made just seven Premier League appearances and has shown susceptibility to errors, while Heaton last featured in top-flight football over four years ago. New signing Lammens has no prior experience in English football.
The Belgian goalkeeper emphasized the importance of reliability when discussing his approach to the position. “To be an effective goalkeeper, you need to provide solidity behind the defense,” he stated. “Your teammates must have confidence in your ability to perform during challenging moments. Maintaining composure under pressure, regardless of the situation, is perhaps the most crucial quality for any goalkeeper.”
