Unfortunate developments for Onana as Manchester United’s new owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, may consider replacing him with a top goalkeeper from Serie A. The potential target could be acquired for a fee of £35 million.

The winds of change are beginning to sweep through the hallowed corridors of Old Trafford, as the arrival of new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe heralds a potential era of restructuring and strategic overhaul at Manchester United. With the ink barely dry on the agreement that sees Ratcliffe’s INEOS group take control of football operations, speculation is already rife regarding potential changes to the playing squad, particularly in key positions that have come under scrutiny during a turbulent season

One such area of intense debate and analysis has been the goalkeeping department, where the summer acquisition of Andre Onana from Inter Milan, a move heralded with considerable anticipation, has not quite unfolded according to the optimistic expectations that accompanied his arrival. While Onana’s pedigree, particularly his standout performances in Inter’s run to the Champions League final, was undeniable, his transition to the Premier League and life at Manchester United has been punctuated by moments of brilliance interspersed with costly errors.

As the season has progressed, the spotlight on Onana’s performances has intensified, particularly in the wake of high-profile mistakes in crucial matches, both domestically and in European competitions. These lapses in concentration and judgment have, at times, undermined the team’s efforts and contributed to a sense of unease surrounding the last line of defense. In the unforgiving realm of top-tier football, where margins are often razor-thin, such inconsistencies can prove to be profoundly damaging to a team’s aspirations.

Against this backdrop of scrutiny and the overarching ambition to restore Manchester United to their former glory, the emergence of reports linking the club with a move for a goalkeeper from the Italian Serie A has understandably generated significant discussion and speculation among supporters and pundits alike. The name that has surfaced with increasing frequency in these reports is that of Ivan Provedel, the accomplished shot-stopper currently plying his trade for Lazio in the Italian capital.

According to information emanating from Footballwave, Manchester United are indeed harboring an interest in securing the services of the 29-year-old Provedel, whose performances in Serie A have garnered widespread acclaim. Provedel has firmly established himself as one of the premier goalkeepers in the Italian top flight, showcasing a consistent level of excellence that has not gone unnoticed by clubs across Europe, including the Red Devils.

Furthermore, Provedel’s burgeoning reputation extends beyond the confines of club football, as he has recently earned a regular place within the Italian national team setup, a testament to his consistent high-level performances and the recognition he has received from the national selectors. This international recognition further validates his standing as a top-quality goalkeeper operating at the peak of his powers.

What makes Provedel’s profile particularly intriguing is a rather unique attribute that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries in the goalkeeping fraternity: his remarkable knack for scoring goals. This season, Provedel has remarkably earned the distinction of being arguably the most notable goalscoring goalkeeper on a global scale, an accolade that underscores his unconventional and impactful contributions to his team.

His most memorable goalscoring moment this season undoubtedly arrived during the group stage of the prestigious Champions League. In a tense encounter against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, with the clock ticking down and Lazio desperately seeking an equalizer, Provedel rose highest in the opposition penalty area to powerfully head home a dramatic 96th-minute goal, securing a crucial 1-1 draw for his team. This late intervention proved pivotal in Lazio’s subsequent progression to the knockout stages of the competition.

The rarity of a goalkeeper scoring from open play in the Champions League only serves to amplify the significance of Provedel’s achievement. Remarkably, his goal against Atletico Madrid marked only the third instance in the entire history of the competition where a goalkeeper managed to find the back of the net through open play, placing him in an exclusive and distinguished club.

However, Provedel’s goalscoring exploits this season are not an isolated incident. He has previously demonstrated his ability to pop up with crucial goals, notably during a loan spell at Juve Stabia in 2020, where he netted a late equalizer against Ascoli, showcasing his composure and opportunism in the opposition’s penalty area.

Interestingly, Provedel’s journey to becoming a renowned goalkeeper took an unconventional route. He actually began his career as a striker, displaying a keen eye for goal during his teenage years. He amassed an impressive tally of 27 goals while playing for Pordenone’s youth team during the 2008/09 season before making the transition to the goalkeeping position professionally, a switch that has ultimately led him to the cusp of a potential move to one of the world’s biggest clubs.

The reported interest from Manchester United in acquiring the services of Ivan Provedel naturally raises the intriguing prospect of the club potentially replacing a goalkeeper widely regarded as one of the best passing custodians in the world with a candidate who could lay claim to the title of the best-scoring goalkeeper. This potential shift in profile highlights a possible change in emphasis or tactical approach within the Manchester United setup.

However, a potential stumbling block in Manchester United’s pursuit of Provedel, particularly during the January transfer window, appears to be Lazio’s reported asking price of €35 million. While this fee might be considered reasonable for a goalkeeper of Provedel’s caliber and experience, it remains to be seen whether Manchester United would be willing to sanction such an outlay in the midst of the season.

Despite the potential financial hurdle in the immediate term, reports suggest that Manchester United are poised to continue monitoring Ivan Provedel’s performances closely, with a view to potentially making a move for him during the summer transfer window. This timeframe would allow the club more flexibility in terms of their transfer budget and strategic planning for the upcoming season.

On the other hand, the tenure of Andre Onana at Manchester United has, by his own high standards and the expectations surrounding his arrival, not fully met the desired impact. His transfer from Inter Milan involved a significant financial outlay of €51 million, with the potential for an additional €4 million in performance-related bonuses, underscoring the faith the club initially placed in his abilities.

While Onana did enjoy a standout Champions League campaign with Inter Milan, where he topped the clean sheet charts and garnered praise as one of the best ball-playing goalkeepers in Europe, his transition to the Premier League has been fraught with challenges. The unforgiving nature of the English top flight, coupled with the intense scrutiny that comes with playing for a club of Manchester United’s stature, has presented a different set of demands.

Notably, Onana has been prone to making evident errors in crucial matches, particularly in the Champions League defeats against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich, where his mistakes proved costly for the team’s aspirations in the competition. These high-profile errors have understandably raised questions about his consistency and suitability for the demanding role at Old Trafford.

Furthermore, Manchester United currently find themselves in a less than desirable position in the Premier League standings, trailing their rivals and facing an uphill battle to secure a coveted spot in next season’s Champions League. Their struggles have also extended to domestic cup competitions, having exited both the League Cup and facing an uncertain future in the FA Cup. Their European journey also concluded prematurely, adding to the sense of disappointment surrounding the season thus far.

The reported pursuit of Ivan Provedel by Manchester United signifies the club’s ongoing quest to identify and secure reinforcements in crucial positions across the squad. This potential move in the goalkeeping department could potentially reshape the dynamics of their last line of defense and signal a strategic shift in their approach to building a successful team capable of challenging for top honors. As Manchester United navigate these crucial considerations, the upcoming summer transfer window is poised to be a pivotal period for the club as they seek to address their squad’s challenges and reclaim a competitive position on multiple fronts, both domestically and in European football. The potential arrival of Provedel could mark a significant chapter in this ongoing evolution.