Swiss World Cup star Yann Sommer is a target for Manchester United as they search for a replacement for David de Gea.
Sommer was of interest to the Red Devils in the summer, but a deal failed to materialize and United instead signed Martin Dubravka on loan to back their number one.
The Swiss international reportedly wanted to stay in the run-up to the World Cup to ensure he would enter the tournament in established form.
But now Bild reports a “lightning change” in circumstances, with a high possibility of a summer move.
As well as De Gea, Tom Heaton and Martin Dubravka will also leave Old Trafford as it stands, while Dean Henderson has surely burned his bridges at the club during his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
That leaves United in desperate need of reinforcements between the sticks, and while Sommer has said his situation was “good as is” for now, he is believed to be open to a move.
Sporting director Roland Virkus seems to have accepted that the player might want to move on, having recently said: “I can’t tell which direction this is going.
“It’s really like saying fifty-fifty. Why? Not because the club doesn’t want to give Yann prospects.
“Yann knows very well that it is a very important component of our management structure. But you also have personal goals.
“Maybe you want to play for another club after all. Maybe you want to get another championship somewhere. He has to weigh all of that.”
The Borussia Mönchengladbach goalkeeper has been in fine form in Qatar, making nine saves in his two group games.
That includes five in a heroic performance against Cameroon when Sommer saw his team shut out in their opener.
At club level, the Swiss international has been a standout performer in the Bundesliga and works well in Gladbach’s high-pressure system.
He ranks in the top 2% of all goalkeepers in Europe’s ‘Big Five’ domestic leagues in touches per game, a stat that will impress Erik ten Hag as it shows his value in developing the team’s play. (fbref)
As Ten Hag continues United’s transition to a more proactive possession team, Sommer could be an ideal candidate to modernize the goalkeeping position at the club.
Since he’ll be available on a free transfer in the summer, it would also free up funds for the Red Devils to bolster key outfield positions.
United fans will have the chance to watch Sommer battle the recently sacked Cristiano Ronaldo tomorrow at 7pm, when Switzerland take on Portugal in the round of 16.
