Man Utd edging closer to completing fifth signing of the summer

Manchester United are edging closer to adding another player to their squad after completing deals to sign Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.

Erik ten Hag has been left short of options in the goalkeeping department after both Dean Henderson and Lee Grant left the club this summer and the Dutchman has been keen to add competition.

David de Gea has endured a tough start to the season and United have been linked with moves for Yann Sommer, Kevin Trapp and Daniel Bachmann.

Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who has dropped down the pecking order at the Magpies following Nick Pope’s arrival, has also been linked.

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According to Football Insider, United have now agreed personal terms with the 33-year-old as a potential transfer gets further down the line.

As per the report, United are now close to finalising a deal to sign Dubravka as De Gea’s back-up. It’s claimed that United’s offer to take Dubravka off Newcastle’s hands is a loan deal with an option to buy for £5m next summer.

Furthermore, the Slovakian international is believed to have told his club that he is keen on making the switch to Old Trafford.

SN’s verdict…
Make no mistake about it, it would be a huge worry for Ten Hag if a goalkeeper is not signed before next week’s transfer deadline. As things stand, Tom Heaton is the only alternative to De Gea.

Dubravka has many years of experience in the Premier League but has always been questioned internally at Newcastle, with outcast figure Karl Darlow beating him to the number-one spot earlier. He’s now the third choice behind Darlow and Pope.

In any case, signing a Premier League-proven goalkeeper is what Ten Hag will want and in Dubravka, he has just that.

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