Manchester United has reportedly shown interest in acquiring Ivan Provedel from Lazio, according to reports from Footballwave. The 29-year-old goalkeeper, who has gained recognition as one of Serie A’s top goalkeepers, has recently become a regular part of Italy’s national team. This season, Provedel has notably earned acclaim as the most distinguished scoring goalkeeper globally.
During the Champions League group stage, Provedel made a significant impact by scoring a crucial late goal, securing a 1-1 draw for Lazio against Atletico Madrid. His 96th-minute equalizer played a pivotal role in Lazio’s advancement to the last-16 stage, marking just the third instance in Champions League history where a goalkeeper scored during open play.
Provedel’s display of scoring prowess this season isn’t an isolated incident; previously, while on loan at Juve Stabia in 2020, he netted a late equalizer against Ascoli. Interestingly, Provedel started his career as a striker, scoring 27 goals as a teenager for Pordenone’s youth team during the 2008/09 season before transitioning to the goalkeeper position professionally.
Manchester United’s reported interest in Provedel hints at a potential replacement for what many consider to be the world’s best passing goalkeeper with a candidate known for scoring goals.
However, Lazio’s €35 million asking price for Provedel seems to pose a challenge for United in the January transfer window. Nevertheless, the club is poised to keep tabs on him for a potential summer transfer.
On the other hand, Andre Onana’s stint at Manchester United has not met expectations since his €51 million (plus €4 million in bonuses) transfer from Inter Milan. Despite a standout Champions League season with Inter, where he led the clean sheet charts and was regarded as the best ball-playing goalkeeper, Onana has faced difficulties at Old Trafford, evident in notable errors, particularly in Champions League defeats against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich.
Currently trailing in the Premier League and having exited European competitions and the League Cup, Manchester United’s pursuit of Provedel signifies their drive for reinforcements in key positions, possibly reshaping their goalkeeping department. As they navigate these considerations, the upcoming summer transfer window emerges as a crucial period for United to address squad challenges and regain competitiveness across various fronts.
