Man Utd 'ready' to trigger release clause for transfer after Andre Onana injury

Manchester United are ready to make a bid for goalkeeper John Victor and the timing could not be better following Andre Onana's hamstring injury. The Red Devils No.1 now looks set to miss the start of the club's pre-season campaign.

Ruben Amorim's side have beenlinked with signing a goalkeeper this summer amid inconsistencies in Onana's performances, and uncertainty over back-up option Altay Bayindir. But the requirement for a new goalkeeper may have stepped up a gear after injury struck.

United fear Onana will be out of action for six to eight weeks and as a result is at risk of being unavailable for the opening Premier League match against Arsenal on August 17. The Cameroon international is set to travel on the club's pre-season tour of the United States, but will not play.

United have already been linked to a whole host of goalkeepers this summer. Aston Villa star Emi Martinez, Porto ace Diogo Costa and Cruz Azul number one Kevin Mier have all been linked.

But Botafogo stopper Victor has emerged as a target that would not come with the same weight of transfer fee. Reports in Brazil claim United are now ready to move for the goalkeeper and have told Botafogo that they are willing to trigger the player's R$44.5 million (£6m) release clause.

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Victor played a starring role for the Brazilian side at the Club World Cup and is said to have been the subject of an enquiry and a number of meetings. And United now appear ready to table an offer for the 29-year-old.

Speaking last year, Victor’s agent Pedro Gutierrez admitted that there was already interest beginning to grow in his client. He said: “I have had many phone calls from clubs in Europe enquiring about John and that is no surprise after what he has achieved with Botafogo.

"There has been interest from clubs in England, Germany, Portugal and elsewhere, but John would prefer to play in the best league in the world – the Premier League. Liverpool and Manchester City both have Brazilian goalkeepers in Alisson and Ederson and they have both been successful in England.

"John would like the opportunity to emulate those two and become the latest Brazilian goalkeeper to showcase his talents in the Premier League".

United's pre-season friendlies get underway on July 19 when they play Leeds United in Sweden. Te club go on to face West am, Bournemout and Evertono in te US.

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