Manchester United have reportedly approached Brighton & Hove Albion over a potential move for goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, as questions continue to mount over Andre Onana’s position as the club’s number one.
Onana, who joined from Inter Milan last summer, has come under renewed criticism following another shaky performance — this time in Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League draw with Lyon. The Cameroonian was directly at fault for both goals, fuelling speculation about his long-term future at Old Trafford.
Despite head coach Ruben Amorim publicly backing Onana, saying he remains “really confident” in the keeper, reports suggest United are actively exploring alternative options. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the club have “asked for information” about Verbruggen, Brighton’s highly-rated Dutch international.
The 22-year-old is attracting interest from several European heavyweights, including Barcelona and Bayern Munich, which could complicate United’s pursuit. Brighton are expected to demand around £60 million for Verbruggen — a fee that would make him one of the most expensive goalkeepers in football history, and potentially beyond United’s adjusted summer budget.
As a result, United are also considering more budget-friendly alternatives. Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, priced between €15m (£12.6m) and €25m (£20.9m), is on their radar, though Arsenal are believed to be leading the chase for the Spaniard.
Royal Antwerp’s rising star Senne Lammens has also been linked, and there have even been murmurs about a sensational return for David de Gea, who has enjoyed a career resurgence with Fiorentina.
For now, Onana is determined to hold onto his starting role and is expected to compete for his place for the remainder of the season and into pre-season — but the pressure is clearly mounting.
