‘Bart Verbruggen will be the next Man United goalkeeper’ after source’s reveal
Man United are plotting a move to sign Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the summer, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who spent over a decade at United during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that the 22-year-old has been a long-term target at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, sources at the club have claimed Verbruggen “will be the next United goalkeeper” as the position has become a priority in recent weeks.
Scouts have been keeping an eye on the shot-stopper’s performances for Brighton and the Netherlands, and they are now prepared to make a move.
This comes after Andre Onana was dropped from the squad for the defeat to Newcastle following two errors as Ruben Amorim’s side drew 2-2 against Lyon in the Europa League.
Onana’s performances have now been labelled a “huge issue” at Man United and they are now prepared to spend big to secure his replacement.
Man United eye ‘massive’ Bart Verbruggen transfer swoop
Brown told Football Insider in March that Brighton would demand a “massive” fee for Verbruggen and are extremely reluctant to let him leave the club.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Aston Villa, has insisted United are now prepared to pursue the Brighton goalkeeper’s signature.
“Bart Verbruggen is going to be one to keep an eye on for Man United,” he told Football Insider.
“Somebody said to me a while ago when Ten Hag was there: ‘He will be the next United goalkeeper’.
“The club rate him very highly and they’ve been keeping an eye on his performances both for Brighton and the Netherlands over the last couple of seasons.
“So he’s a long-term target and one they feel would be an upgrade on what they’ve got.
“The goalkeeping position is becoming a priority for Man United because they’re concerned about Onana.
“The mistakes he’s made in recent weeks are just the basics of goalkeeping, it’s a huge issue.
“It’s another area they’re going to have to spend big on, added to the long list of positions they already knew they had to improve.
“Verbruggen is one of the names on their list, so it’s one I’m sure they will explore and see if they can get it over the line.”
Ruben Amorim eyes £40million Liam Delap signing
A new goalkeeper has become the latest priority position at Old Trafford, but Amorim is still planning to add a new striker to his squad this summer.
Brown told Football Insider on 12 April that Man United want to sign Liam Delap and are exploring the possibility of signing the Ipswich Town star.
Delap, 22, is believed to have a £40million release clause in his contract which has attracted a high level of interest from a number of Premier League clubs.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Ipswich will be forced to sell Delap if they are relegated this season amid interest from the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle and Man United.
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