Watch: Fabrizio Romano identifies next Man Utd signing after Antony

Planet Football • 29 Aug 2022

Manchester United have spent the summer re-shaping their squad and, after reaching an agreement to sign Ajax and Brazil forward Antony, Fabrizio Romano has news on their next target as the transfer window draws to a close.

United appointed Erik ten Hag as their new manager following an incredibly disappointing 2021-22 season which saw the club finish a distant sixth in the Premier League and make little impact in Europe.

And a host of players have left Old Trafford this summer, including the likes of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani and Andreas Pereira.

While a clear-out of so many underperforming players was necessary, it left United short in a number of key areas and Ten Hag has spent the summer months trying to plug numerous gaps.

The former Ajax boss has managed to sign Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro during the window, with a €100million deal for Antony agreed on Sunday morning.

But United still want a backup goalkeeper after allowing Dean Henderson to join Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal earlier this summer and have set their sights on Martin Dubravka of Newcastle United.

The Red Devils turned to Dubravka last week after being quoted £21million for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp.

Dubravka, who cost Newcastle £4.2million in 2018, has made over 130 appearances and been one of their most consistent performers, twice being named the club’s Player of the Year, but is now resigned to being understudy to Nick Pope.

The 33-year-old was left out of Newcastle’s matchday squad for their last two games as talks picked up between the two clubs.

And Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, has given United fans a crucial update about their pursuit of the Slovakia international.

“United are focusing on signing a new goalkeeper,” the Italian journalist said. “They want a new second-choice goalkeeper behind David de Gea and the name is Martin Dubravka.

“Manchester United submitted an official proposal to Newcastle, along with a buy option clause, of £5million. Newcastle want a permanent deal but the player is ‘doing an Antony’ in this case because he’s insisting with Newcastle to have this opportunity to join Man United.

“Now he’s the second goalkeeper behind Nick Pope, Dubravka wants to go so he’s pushing to go to Man United. So let’s see if United, between today and the end of the transfer market on Thursday, decide to sign another player.”

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