Transfer Centre

Altay Bayindir 'heading to England to complete Manchester United move'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 26 August 2023

Bayindir 'heading to England to complete Man United move'

Manchester United close in on a deal for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as a replacement for Dean Henderson, according to a report.

Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a deal for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

The Red Devils have signed Andre Onana as their new number one following the departure of David de Gea, who ended his long association with the club at the end of June.

Dean Henderson is currently the number two with Tom Heaton on the sidelines through injury, but the former is widely expected to leave Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window.

Crystal Palace are at the head of the queue for the England international, and according to The Telegraph, the stopper is expected to travel down to London following Man United's clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon in order to undergo a medical.

Bayindir appears to have been identified as his replacement, with talkSPORT claiming that the Turkey international is heading to England to complete a move to the Premier League giants.

Dean Henderson celebrates Nottingham Forest's goal on August 14, 2022 © Reuters

Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal has confirmed that Bayindir is leaving the club, although he stopped short of naming Man United as his new team.

"These things happen in football," Kartal told Milliyet. "I would like to thank Altay for his services. He has started his new adventure. I wish you success in this journey. He represents us very well there."

Bayindir has been with Fenerbahce since 2019, arriving at the club from Ankaragucu, and he has made 146 appearances for his current side in all competitions.

The goalkeeper featured on 40 occasions during the 2022-23 campaign, while he has already played four times this term, including three outings in the qualification rounds for the Europa Conference League.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured on August 19, 2023 © Reuters

Bayindir also played the full 90 minutes of his side's Super Lig opener on August 13, but he has been an unused substitute in their last three matches amid the speculation surrounding his future.

Man United are expected to pay in the region of €7m (£6m) to secure his services on a long-term deal.

Henderson's departure and Bayindir's arrival mean that the latter is expected to battle Heaton for the number two position at the club behind big-money signing Onana.

Head coach Erik ten Hag has ruled out another forward arriving at Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window, but the club are said to remain in the hunt for a new midfielder.

Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, but it is understood that a bid has still not been lodged for the Morocco international.