Manchester United have all-but dropped their interest in Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp following reported revelations over his fee.
The talk around the Red Devils this summer has been in midfield and up front. A deal for Frenkie de Jong now looks unlikely after several weeks, but Casemiro has moved to Old Trafford instead.
Up front, talk over a deal for Ajax attacker Antony is stepping up ahead of the final week of the summer transfer window.
Still, goalkeeper remains a key area for Man Utd to bolster because of recent developments. Dean Henderson has left for Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season.
That means 36-year-old Tom Heaton is the only deputy for David de Gea, whose long-term future at Old Trafford remains uncertain. As a result, United are looking for reinforcements between the sticks. And Frankfurt star Trapp, 32, has emerged as a key target.
Previous reports talked of United submitting an £8.4million bid to the reigning Europa League champions. The Red Devils also supposedly have an enticing long-term contract on the table for Trapp.
However, The Telegraph now claims that Man Utd have all-but withdrawn their interest in the Germany international.
Indeed, Erik ten Hag’s side have baulked at Frankfurt’s £21million (€25million) price tag.
Manager Ten Hag wants a ball-playing centre-back, with De Gea coming in for criticism for his recent failure in doing so.
Ten Hag is also a fan of Borussia Monchengladbach’s Switzerland stopper Yann Sommer.
But The Telegraph claims that United are similarly unlikely to move for the 33-year-old. Watford’s Daniel Bachmann is a third goalkeeper target on the Red Devils’ summer radar.
Trapp interest amid Man Utd dilemma
The interest in Trapp – now withdrawn – has come amid something of a potential dilemma in United’s goalkeeping ranks.
De Gea is entering the final year of his current deal, which United have the option to extend. Nevertheless, Ten Hag wants a ball-playing centre-half and has clearly been looking for one.
As for Henderson, it remains unclear what will happen with the England hopeful next summer.
He gave an explosive interview earlier this summer in which he blasted the club for making him – in his words – waste a year of his career after promises about game time alongside De Gea did not transpire.
Man Utd could therefore do with a new signing between the sticks, but it must be right for the club.
And Trapp and Sommer, while established goalkeepers and both international players – clearly do not tick all the boxes.
