Agent claims Manchester United tried three times to sign 25-year-old star

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Manchester United twice tried to bring Altay Bayindir to the Premier League before finally striking a deal for the Turkey international during the summer of 2023.

That is according to Sefa Seyrek, the former Fenerbahce star’s agent.

Manchester United, after running aground in discussions over the likes of Odysseas Vlachodimos, Zion Suzuki, Justin Bijlow and Matheus, finally agreed a deal to make Altay Bayindir their new ‘number two’ in August, triggering the £4.3 million release clause in his contract.

And, with Seyrek shedding a light on United’s long-running interest in the 6ft 6ins glovesman, the phrase ‘third time lucky’ comes to mind.

Altay Bayindir joins Manchester United at last

“Manchester United contacted me before the European Championships (held in 2021) They expressed their interest. I conveyed this interest directly to Altay,” Seyrek tells Sport Digitale, translated by Sporx.

“Altay said; ‘I am focused on the European Championships. Then, we can evaluate it’.”

“After that, Altay picked up an injury (and) there was no release clause. That’s why there were some negativities. That’s why there was no progress. There was no offer at that time.”

The Red Devils then came calling again a few months later. But Bayindir wanted to ensure that, when the time came to leave Fenerbahce, he would not depart on a free transfer, signing a new contract complete with a release clause in order to protect his value.

“Manchester United came to me again (in January 2022). I relayed the offer to Altay again. He said; “I want to go while helping my club make money’,” Seyrek adds. “He took such a risk at the expense of losing (his chance to go to) Manchester United.

“Then, we signed a four-year contract with a release clause.”

Andre Onana still Ten Hag’s number one

Bayindir’s patience eventually paid off, of course, Manchester United snapping up the highly-rated glovesman at the third time of asking a few weeks before the window closed in September.

‘Patience’ is clearly an attribute Bayindir possesses in droves, the former Altinordu man still awaiting his Old Trafford debut with Andre Onana firmly established as Erik ten Hag’s first-choice between the sticks.