Should Manchester United bet on Switzerland’s Yann Sommer in the January transfer window?
As Manchester United enter the winter transfer market they will be keeping their eyes peeled and their ears peeled for any bargains out there.
The Glazer family have publicly admitted they would like to sell the club, but that is unlikely to be completed until the second quarter of next year. And so it’s unlikely that the already-dwindling treasury will be stocked up and spent on glitz and glamor signings.
Erik Ten Hag knows Manchester United are in dire need of a forward to bolster the team’s attack, especially given that they terminated Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract in the middle of the World Cup.
With just one recognized first-team forward, Anthony Martial, on their books, things are looking close for Ten Hag until 2023. And that’s if Martial stays fit and healthy, which has been difficult for him so far.
Another focus will be in the goalkeeping department. While David de Gea’s performances have certainly improved since the Dutch coach took over, the Spain goalkeeper, who has not been included in his country’s World Cup squad, is not in the assist Ten Hag would like.
With his contract due to expire at the end of this season, Manchester United must make a decision: either use the option in his contract to extend it until 2024 and offer a new deal, or sever ties with the long-time goalkeeper and sign a new number one.
Dean Henderson, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, is likely to leave Manchester United at the end of the season and so the club could be in the market for two goalkeepers to challenge each other.
One name that keeps coming up is Yann Sommer from Borussia Mönchengladbach. A goalkeeper who excelled in another international tournament with Switzerland is no longer under contract with the German team at the end of the season.
It is understood Gladbach would leave Sommer for a nominal £5million fee in January. There has always been skepticism about Sommer’s height of 6ft in England, but he has regularly demonstrated his ability in Europe and for his country; Sommer is one of the best shotstoppers in the world with reflexes similar to those of a cat.
Ten Hag clearly has a style of play and wants to build up from behind, which means having a keeper he implicitly trusts to handle the ball well.
Other reports suggest Manchester United will field Diogo Costa, FC Porto and Portugal’s number one to take the starting position at Old Trafford.
If the Red Devils decide to let De Gea go at the end of the season, two goalkeepers will most likely be signed in what could be the bargain of summer and expensive Costa in contention for the number one spot.