Manchester United have reportedly opened talks with Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer as they attempt to seal a transfer at the second time of asking.
The Red Devils were linked with a move for the Borussia Monchengladbach star in the summer as they attempted to find back-up for No.1 David de Gea. In the end, a deal proved difficult to facilitate and United instead signed Martin Dubravka on loan from Premier League rivals Newcastle.
Despite that, it appears that Erik ten Hag's interest in Sommer has not waned, as reports suggest that the Red Devils are ready to finally bring him to Old Trafford. According to German outlet Bild, United have already made contract with the 33-year-old regarding a potential switch.
It remains to be seen quite when 79-cap Swiss international could make the move to the Premier League, but it is claimed that a transfer could be completed extremely quickly in January. Sommer’s contract with Gladbach expires in the summer - something that is not lost on the German club.
Speaking about Sommer’s potential winter exit, Gladbach sporting director Roland Virkus said: “We weigh everything carefully and are prepared in any case.”
Sommer previously had reservations of joining the Red Devils in the summer due to the fact that he would be De Gea’s understudy - a fact that could jeopardise his chances of playing in the World Cup in Qatar. However, with the tournament set to be complete by the January transfer window - Sommer’s Switzerland take on Portugal in the Round of 16 on Tuesday evening - those concerns are likely to be allayed.
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The shot-stopper has been Gladbach’s first choice between the sticks since his 2014 arrival from Basel and has gone on to accumulate 335 appearances for the German outfit.
Aside from Sommer, United were also linked with Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa. The Old Trafford club were said to be aiming to activate a €60million (£51m) release clause written into his contract, having scouted him on numerous occasions.
However, super-agent Jorge Mendes dealt a blow to United’s hopes of signing the Portuguese by negotiating a fresh five-year deal for his client, with the release clause increased in the process.
Without any incomings, United’s goalkeeping department could look very bare come the end of the campaign. De Gea sees his contract expire in just a few months' time, whilst Dubravka is also likely to depart once his temporary deal comes to an end.
Veteran Tom Heaton’s contract also concludes in the summer of 2023, meaning that Ten Hag could find himself in a nightmare position of having no senior goalkeepers in his squad. That being said, Dean Henderson is likely to return from his loan spell with Nottingham Forest and the club have the option to extend De Gea's stay for another season.
