Serie A star close to joining Napoli as Manchester United return set to be ruled out once and for all

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Manchester United have considered goalkeeping additions this summer, but one target is now on the verge of a move elsewhere.

Manchester United’s pre-season campaign kicks off this weekend as Ruben Amorim takes on Leeds United in Sweden.

Amorim is gearing up for his first full Premier League campaign, but his preparations have already taken a blow.

Andre Onana has picked up an injury, and the United goalkeeper could miss the start of the Premier League season.

Altay Bayindir had been expected to leave United this summer, but may now need to stay put in order to cover for Onana.

United have looked at other goalkeepers this summer, possibly with the idea of replacing Bayindir, and will surely remain in the hunt with Onana out.

• READ: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2025/26

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic nearing Napoli transfer

One name on United’s radar is Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

The Serbian stopper has become a star with Torino and established himself as one of Serie A’s top goalkeepers.

United were interested in re-signing Milinkovic-Savic earlier this summer, but the giant goalkeeper now looks set to move elsewhere.

Fabrizio Romano now reports that Napoli are ‘close’ to sealing the signing of Milinkovic-Savic.

Torino have reached a verbal agreement to take Napoli’s Cyril Ngonge, and that means Milinkovic-Savic’s move to Naples is close.

Milinkovic-Savic agreed the move earlier this summer, and a full agreement with Torino is now imminent.

United appear to be focusing on Botafogo’s John Victor, and a move for Milinkovic-Savic can seemingly be ruled out once and for all.

Why Manchester United let Vanja Milinkovic-Savic go

As noted earlier, United would have been re-signing Milinkovic-Savic with any move for the Serbian.

United snapped up Milinkovic-Savic from Vojvodina in 2014, believing he had a huge future ahead of him.

Milinkovic-Savic was sent back to Vojvodina for more first-team exposure as a teenager, ahead of really starting his United career in 2015.

Milinkovic-Savic failed to obtain a work permit, and United had to let him go, paving the way for a move to Lechia Gdansk.

Loans to SPAL, Ascoli and Standard Liege did little to establish Milinkovic-Savic as a star, but he is now thriving for Torino.

Now 28, Milinkovic-Savic has hit back from his United disappointment, and while an Old Trafford career will again elude him this summer, he has the chance to make a big step up with Napoli.