Unfortunate developments for Onana as Manchester United’s new owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, may consider replacing him with a top goalkeeper from Serie A. The potential target could be acquired for a fee of £35 million.

Manchester United is reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, according to sources from Footballwave. The 29-year-old has established himself as one of Serie A’s standout goalkeepers and recently secured a regular place in Italy’s national team.

Provedel has also gained global recognition this season for his rare achievement as a goalscoring goalkeeper. In a memorable Champions League group stage match, he scored a dramatic 96th-minute equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw for Lazio against Atletico Madrid. This critical goal helped propel Lazio into the competition’s last-16 stage, marking only the third instance in Champions League history where a goalkeeper scored during open play.

This isn’t Provedel’s first foray into scoring, as he previously demonstrated his ability in 2020 while on loan at Juve Stabia, netting a late equalizer against Ascoli. His background as a striker is noteworthy, having scored 27 goals as a teenager for Pordenone’s youth team during the 2008/09 season before transitioning to the goalkeeper position.

Manchester United’s interest in Provedel raises the intriguing possibility of replacing one of the world’s best passing goalkeepers with a player celebrated for his scoring abilities. However, Lazio’s €35 million valuation may pose a challenge for a potential January deal, leaving United to consider monitoring him for a summer transfer instead.

Meanwhile, United’s current goalkeeper, Andre Onana, has struggled to meet expectations since his €51 million transfer from Inter Milan. Despite his exceptional performances in Inter’s Champions League campaign, where he led the clean sheet rankings and was hailed as a top ball-playing goalkeeper, his time at Old Trafford has been marred by errors, particularly in losses to Galatasaray and Bayern Munich.

Manchester United’s struggles this season have extended beyond individual performances, with the team falling behind in the Premier League and facing early exits from European competitions and the League Cup. The potential acquisition of Provedel underscores the club’s determination to strengthen key areas as they seek to address their challenges and reclaim competitiveness on multiple fronts. The summer transfer window is shaping up to be a critical moment for reshaping the squad and reviving their ambitions.