In the midst of an active summer transfer window, Manchester United’s pursuit of a suitable replacement for Dean Henderson has taken an intriguing turn. Reports reveal that the club is currently undergoing medical tests for Fenerbahce’s 25-year-old goalkeeper, Altay Bayindir, underscoring their intensified interest in the talented shot-stopper.
Bayindir has garnered attention as one of Erik ten Hag’s top choices to fill the goalkeeping void left by Henderson, who is currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential permanent move to Crystal Palace.
Hailing from Turkey, Bayindir embarked on his journey with Fenerbahce in 2019 and swiftly claimed the role of the team’s primary goalkeeper, amassing an impressive 44 clean sheets in 145 appearances for the club.
Standing tall at 6 feet 6 inches, Bayindir’s contributions were instrumental in Fenerbahce’s Turkish Cup victory during the 2022-23 season. His skill set has also earned him five caps for the Turkish national team, and he was included in their Euro 2020 squad.
Despite having signed an extension in March that binds him to Fenerbahce for another four years, Bayindir’s potential move to Manchester United has generated considerable interest. A crucial detail from The Athletic states that United is keen on investigating a previous back concern that sidelined Bayindir in the closing stages of the 2022-23 season. As a part of this due diligence, the 25-year-old is presently undergoing preliminary medical examinations with the Red Devils.
Bayindir has already exhibited his recovery by participating in four matches this season, keeping two clean sheets. However, he recently found himself benched for Fenerbahce’s two most recent games.
Should these initial medical evaluations yield positive results, Manchester United could potentially secure Bayindir’s services for a fee as modest as €5 million (£4.3 million), particularly if Henderson’s departure proceeds as anticipated.
The complex goalkeeping shuffle at Old Trafford encompasses Henderson’s uncertain future. Although his loan move to Nottingham Forest initially appeared to transition into a permanent transfer, the club ultimately turned to another option, acquiring Matt Turner from Arsenal.
Conversely, Crystal Palace is in negotiations to facilitate a loan-to-buy arrangement for Henderson. If this transpires, Henderson could join Matej Kovar in leaving Manchester United for a new chapter.
As the situation unfolds, Ten Hag’s choices for senior goalkeepers narrow down to Onana and Tom Heaton. However, with Henderson’s departure looming and Heaton grappling with a calf injury, the need for a seasoned backup has become apparent.
In addition to Bayindir, Manchester United has reportedly shown interest in Benfica and Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, whose desire to leave the Portuguese champions has been exacerbated by conflicts with head coach Roger Schmidt.
As the transfer window evolves, Manchester United prepares to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday before embarking on a challenging clash against Arsenal on September 3 at the Emirates Stadium. The uncertainties surrounding their goalkeeping department add an intriguing dimension to their upcoming encounters.