Even before the confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s long-awaited Manchester United takeover, the Premier League giants were being linked with moves for some of the brightest talents contracted to Ineos’ other club situated across the Channel.
Manchester United, according to reports, have been watching Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo for around 12 months now. The former Barcelona defender might have arrived at Old Trafford in 2023, had Harry Maguire not turned his nose up at a move to West Ham.
Khephren Thuram, Nice’s swaggering playmaker, has been mentioned as a potential addition to Erik ten Hag’s squad too.
But with Man United potentially in the market for a new goalkeeper again this summer – there are suggestions that the seldom-seen Altay Bayindir could be on his way after just one year and one first-team appearance – could a 24-year-old shot-stopper also find himself under consideration for a move from one Ineos-controlled outfit to another?
Manchester United tipped to move for ex-Chelsea goalkeeper
Ludovic Obraniak certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see his compatriot – the Poland international Marcin Bulka – emerge on the radar of Manchester United. Or, for that matter, a Real Madrid outfit who have been without the stricken Thibaut Courtois for the entirety of the current campaign.
“I believe this is what will happen. Several big clubs will be looking for a goalkeeper,” Obraniak, who was part of the Lille side knocked out of the Champions League by a Henrik Larsson goal back in 2007, tells Sportowe Fakty.
“In my opinion, Manchester United will try to find someone. And Real Madrid, after another injury to Courtois, may go to the market for a goalkeeper.
“Absolutely (Bulka could move to one of these clubs). In my opinion, he is a player who will play for a big club sooner or later.”
Bayindir could leave Old Trafford
Obraniak believes that Man United could replace not Bayindir with Bulka but Andre Onana. That, however, is simply not going to happen. Casual observers may be surprised to learn – given the narrative that has built up around the £47 million signing – Onana has been pretty outstanding since the turn of the year.
Man United are reportedly keen on bringing in Colombus Crew’s Patrick Schulte as a back-up to Onana.
Bulka, meanwhile, is now at Nice after spells as a youngster with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. With only 20 goals conceded in 26 games, he is a major reason why Francesco Farioli’s side have the best defensive record in France this term.
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