Man Utd outcast could be set for quick exit

Altay Bayindir could be set for a quick return to Turkey, with Galatasaray reportedly keen on signing the Manchester United substitute goalkeeper this summer.

Bayindir came in from Fenerbahce, Gala’s Istanbul rivals, last summer for a €5 million fee plus a reported 20 percent sell-on clause.

While the Turkey international was signed as a back-up to Erik ten Hag’s first choice Andre Onana, he has been restricted to a single outing despite the Cameroonian’s frequent cock-ups.

His only start to date came in January’s FA Cup third round tie away at League Two Newport County, in which the 25-year-old conceded twice.

Bayindir offered Gala escape route

Turkish outlet Aspor now reports that the goalkeeper is keen on moving to a club where he can play regularly and that Galatasaray have ample reason to move for Bayindir.

New Turkish league regulations mean teams will be only permitted to have 12 foreign players in their squads, down from the current total of 14, and, as such, Gala coach Okan Buruk is keen to ensure the goalkeeping position is filled by a homegrown player.

Current goalkeeping incumbent, Fernando Muslera, is 37 years old and approaching the end of his contract.

Aspor says that the Uruguayan may well be offered reduced terms by the club, where he currently earns €2.5m per season, but if terms fail to be agreed then a move for Bayindir will be triggered.

The 6’6 keeper spent four years with Fener, winning a Turkish Cup in 2022, before joining United last summer. Bayindir, the club’s first-ever Turkish player, has a contract which expires in 2027.

Meanwhile, Gala are also expected to be back for a move for Christian Eriksen, according to the Turkish press. It was reported last week that the club had failed in a bid to lure Manchester United into loaning the 31-year-old until the end of the season.

Their intention was to pay 20 percent of Eriksen’s wages, and no loan fee, an offer which was deemed unsuitable by the higher-ups at Old Trafford.