Man United’s latest shock transfer target is Asmir Begovic as Erik ten Hag is keen to add back-up
Manchester United are considering a move for Everton‘s Bosnian goalkeeper Asmir Begovic as Erik ten Hag looks to provide further back up to current No 1 David de Gea.
With veteran keeper Tom Heaton the only other option between the sticks should De Gea suffer an injury, Ten Hag had previously requested the budget for a second-choice keeper be increased from £1million to £7m.
Begovic would bring a Premier League title with him, as well as over 250 Premier League appearances, although he would likely only provide temporary cover as a No 2 until a younger alternative can be found.
Manchester United are exploring the possibility of a move for Everton keeper Asmir Begovic
Ten Hag is keen to bring in a competent second choice keeper that can actually push and compete with his Spanish shot stopper, which has lead to the increase in available budget.
United’s extensive scouting network had already been made aware of the change in direction and the intensifying search for a shot-stopper that fits the Dutch manager’s profile.
The Dutch manager likely wants a keeper he can rely on to build attacks from the back and be confident on the ball, which is something De Gea visibly struggled with against Brentford in Saturday’s shocking 4-0 thrashing in west London.
Erik ten Hag is keen to add to his goalkeeping options and has increased the available budget
David de Gea’s spot is likely safe but the Dutch manager is keen to provide further cover
And whilst Begovic would add stability, he does not necessarily have the ball-playing pedigree that Ten Hag is looking for.
The former Bournemouth, Chelsea and AC Milan does however bring trophy-winning experience – something in frightfully short supply at a club with the stature of United.
The Bosnian has a Premier League title from his time at Chelsea and an FA Cup winners’ medal from 2008 when Portsmouth beat Cardiff City 1-0.
Begovic won the Premier League title with Chelsea before joining Bournemouth for £10million
After the arrivals of Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez in the last two transfer windows, Begovic is perhaps not the calibre of name fans would expect to be linked with.
However he becomes just the latest in a string of surprise names to be circulated around the Red Devils, following pursuits for Bologna’s Marko Arnautovic and French midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
But Begovic can boast one achievement that not even De Gea has managed between the sticks – a Premier League goal. The 35-year-old’s 97.5m strike against Southampton in 2013 for Stoke made him only the fifth Premier League keeper to score and also won him the world record for the longest goal scored.
The Bosnian goalkeeper’s Premier League goal came for Stoke against Southampton in 2013
