Man Utd make incredible goalkeeper change: From world’s best passer to world’s best goalscorer

Carlo Garganese

• 2 Jan 2024 08:45 GMT
• 2 min read

Manchester United have made a move for Lazio’s goalscoring goalkeeper Ivan Provedel in order to replace Andre Onana.

That is according to Calciomercato, which reports that United have approached Lazio over signing Provedel.

The 29-year-old Italian has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Serie A over the last 18 months and is now a regular in the Italy national team squad.

However, he has become known this season as the most famous goalscoring goalkeeper in the world.

Provedel scored a memorable late goal in the Champions League group stage to earn Lazio a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.

The Italian headed home a 96th minute equaliser for Lazio against Atletico with the last kick of the match. The goal proved crucial in helping Lazio qualify for the last-16.

It was only the third time in history that a goalkeeper had scored in the Champions League in open play.

It is not the first time in his career that Provedel has scored. The goalkeeper also found the net with a late equaliser against Ascoli while on loan at Juve Stabia in 2020.

He started his career as a striker, scoring 27 goals as a teenager during the 2008/09 season in Pordenone’s youth team. He then switched position to goalkeeper before becoming professional.

Thus, if United were to sign Provedel they would be replacing arguably the best passing goalkeeper in the world to perhaps the best scoring goalkeeper!

Calciomercato adds that Lazio are demanding €35 million to sell Provedel. This is a price United consider too steep in January but they will continue to monitor him ahead of a potential summer move.

Onana fails at Man Utd

United are looking at possible replacements for Onana, who has been a big disappointed at Old Trafford.

He was expected to become a star after his €51m - plus €4m in bonuses - summer transfer from Inter Milan.

The 27-year-old had enjoyed an outstanding Champions League season with the Nerazzurri last term, playing a key role in their run to the final.

He kept more clean sheets than anyone in the tournament, including five in the knockout rounds, as Inter narrowly and unluckily lost 1-0 to Man City in the showpiece in June. He was also heralded as the best goalkeeper in the world with the ball at his feet.

However, Onana has endured a disastrous start to his Man Utd career. He had made a host of costly errors, most notably in the Champions League defeats to Galatasaray and Bayern Munich.

United are well off the pace in the Premier League and already out of Europe and the League Cup.