Manchester United have completed the signing of Altay Bayindir from Turkish side, Fenerbahce.
Altay Bayindir, 25, joins Manchester United as the club’s second goalkeeper signing this summer after Andre Onana’s early summer move from Inter Milan.
Altay Bayindir’s signing has capped Erik Ten Hag’s mission to overhaul Manchester United goalkeeping department as he sets out for his second season with the club.
After making sundry changes to the club’s defensive and midfield lineup last summer, the former Ajax boss has continued on his grip on the squad this summer with focus on the club’s goalkeeping department.
Ten Hag pressed the button for the exit of Manchester United legendary goalkeeper David De Gea after he could not put up with the Spaniard’s goalkeeping tactics.
Although Man United made moves to renew David De Gea’s contract, it was pretty evident Erik Ten was poised to let De Gea leave as he neared the end of his contract.
Manchester United presented two different contract offers for David De Gea with a reduced wage package that did not sit well with the Spaniard.
After signing the previous contract offer despite the hugely-gutted wage offer from his previous £375,000 weekly earning, Manchester United withdrew the offer and came up with a new offer further trimming down the wage offer.
De Gea chose not to sign the deal and called time on his 12-year legendary stint at Manchester United.
After De Gea’s exit, Dean Henderson, who was another out-of-favor goalkeeper, was also set to leave the club. Dean Henderson struggled for a place at Manchester United and ran out last season at Nottingham Forest on loan.
Erik Ten Hag was ready to part ways with the England goalie as he tightens his grip on Man United goalkeeping department. On Thursday, 31 August 2023, Dean Henderson completed his move from Manchester United to Crystal Palace for £20m, being the second goalkeeper to leave the club this summer.
Before Henderson’s exit, Man United were already scouring the transfer market for a backup goalkeeper for Andre Onana, who had replaced David De Gea as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Altay Bayindir emerged as a top target for the Red Devils. They entered into talks with Fenerbahce for the player for weeks before finally triggering his £4.2m Fenerbahce release clause to sign the player.
Altay Bayindir has signed a four-year contract with Manchester United till 2027 and will be expected to fill the void left by Dean Henderson.
Bayindir made 40 appearances for Fenerbahce in all competitions. He helped the club finished second on the Turkish Super Lig table behind Turkish champions, Galatasaray.
He also clinched the Turkish Cup – his first major trophy for the club since joining in 2019 from Ankaragucu. Bayindir has made 110 appearances for Fenerbahce in his four-year stint.
Altay Bayindir, will be expected to make an appearance on domestic club competitions such as the FA Cup and EFL Cup to relieve the workload on Andre Onana.
He will make the bench on first-rated competitions like the Premier League and Champions League.
