Valencia manager Ruben Baraja expects his first-choice goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to remain at the club, despite being linked with a summer move to Liverpool or Manchester United.
On Saturday, we cited reports that United were looking to hijack Liverpool’s move for the Valencia keeper, who starred for Georgia at Euro 2024.
While United do not need to sign a new first-choice keeper, it would be no harm to have stronger competition for Andre Onana, with Altay Bayindir unlikely to stick around to play a second fiddle role.
It is believed that Liverpool view Mamardashvili as a ready-made replacement for Alisson Becker. The Scousers appointed Arne Slot as their new manager but have yet to add a new signing to his squad.
The Mirror claim Jadon Sancho’s uncertain future at Old Trafford could impact Liverpool’s transfer plans regarding Mamardashvili. The outlet suggests that United could make a move to hijack Liverpool’s pursuit of the player, who is “very much open” to moving from Valencia to Manchester.
United must sell Sancho first as they need to trim their squad and raise sufficient capital before adding any new reinforcements.
Sancho has been linked with a move away from United all summer.
However, Valencia manager Baraja was asked about the possibility of his preferred shot-stopper departing between now and deadline day.
“It’s very simple. He’s our player, and as long as there is no other different situation, I’m not going to evaluate anything,” Baraja said, as quoted by 90min.
“He’s here, he’s ready to participate. We can’t talk about situations that haven’t happened yet.”
Time is running out for Valencia in terms of selling Mamardashvili and finding a replacement before the transfer dealdine. Perhaps we could strike a deal that would see Bayindir move in the opposite direction?
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