Man Utd ‘eye Italy Euro 2020-winning goalkeeper in shock free transfer’ as fans question Andre Onana’s future
MANCHESTER UNITED are interested in signing Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, according to reports.
Meret, 27, will be out of contract at the end of the season.
The Italian has remained Napoli‘s No1 despite uncertainty surrounding his future.
And he has done his stock no harm so far this term, helping Antonio Conte‘s side top the Serie A table.
According to Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg, Man Utd are one of several teams interested in signing Meret.
Links with the Napoli stopper have caught several supporters off guard.
Man Utd No1 Andre Onana has been in good form this season, having settled into life at Old Trafford.
And fans believe it would be strange to recruit a stopper unlikely to be happy with being back-up.
One wrote on social media: “United? Meret will not come to be a no2.”
While a second pointed to current deputy Altay Bayindir, saying: “If Bayindir is too good to be a number 2 then surely this guy is too.”
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Onana, 28, has kept six clean sheets in 13 Premier League appearances this season.
He has played 70 times for the Red Devils in total since signing from Inter Milan.
His No2 Bayindir, meanwhile, has made just three appearances in 18 months since signing for United, with Onana still preferred for the majority of cup matches.
Should Man Utd turn their interest in Meret into a serious pursuit, they will face tough competition.
Inter Milan are said to be one of several European sides chasing the goalkeeper’s signature.
Since Onana’s departure, Yann Sommer has been Inter’s No1.
Club chiefs may see Meret as an instant upgrade, particularly with Sommer aged 35.
The three-cap Italy international, who was part of their Euro 2020-winning squad, has played for Napoli since joining from hometown team Udinese in 2018.
He has kept 63 clean sheets in 189 appearances for Napoli, and has helped them to Serie A title and Coppa Italia successes.