Manchester United have secured their first signing of the January transfer window as goalkeeper Jack Butland has agreed to join, TEAMtalk understands.
On Wednesday, Mike McGrath of The Telegraph broke the news Man Utd were considering signing Butland from Crystal Palace. This is because Erik ten Hag’s backup keeper, Martin Dubravka, has gone back to Newcastle after his Man Utd loan came to an end.
The Red Devils soon entered discussions with Palace over the potential deal. Palace cannot demand too much for the 29-year-old as his contract runs out at the end of the season, which is when he will become a free agent.
Plus, Butland has barely featured for the Eagles in recent seasons. He played just nine times in the Premier League last term and is yet to make an appearance during the current campaign.
Butland is now set for a new adventure at Man Utd. TEAMtalk understands he has signed for Man Utd after passing his medical at Old Trafford.
Man Utd and Palace have spoken about a permanent deal, but they have now reached an agreement over an alternate type of transfer. Sources have told TEAMtalk Butland will join Man Utd on a six-month loan.
And they will have the option to sign him on a further one-year deal once his Palace contract expires in the summer.
The nine-time England international will soon be announced as Man Utd’s first capture of the January window.
Man Utd want striker after Butland deal
And he could be followed to Manchester by a striker. Ten Hag recently confirmed the hunt for a new centre-forward to be on, saying: “There will be many games to follow, so I think there is a need for a new striker.
“We need one who can have an impact, otherwise you are just burning money and you don’t strengthen the squad.”
Man Utd chiefs are considering several options. They like the look of Joao Felix, though Atletico Madrid are demanding a total package of £18.5m for just a six-month loan.
A cheaper alternative is Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. Bayern began contract talks with the goalscorer after Man Utd initially set their sights on him.
But according to Thursday’s Euro Paper Talk, Ten Hag is still pushing to sign him and wants Man Utd to completely disrupt the contract discussions.
Meanwhile, Man Utd’s worst fears have been realised as a medical expert reckons a player could be out for up to a year.