Exclusive: Man United and Tottenham race to sign top goalkeeper John Victor
Manchester United and Tottenham are among a number of European clubs eyeing moves for Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor, sources have told Football Insider.
Victor has emerged on the radar of a host of top clubs across Europe following his success with Botafogo this season playing a key role in their historic double of winning the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian league.
The 6ft 5in shot-stopper made 51 appearances for Botafogo this season keeping 22 clean sheets and conceding only 41 goals in total.
His brilliant form saw him voted best goalkeeper in both the Copa Libertadores and Brasileiro Série A and unsurprisingly attract interest from teams in England, Germany and Portugal with Botafogo bracing themselves for offers for the talented goalkeeper.
John’s representative, Pedro Gutierrez, has admitted he has been contacted by a multitude of clubs in Europe about the goalkeeper although the 28-year-old’s preference would be to move to England and play in the Premier League.
“I have had many phone calls from clubs in Europe enquiring about John and that is no surprise after what he has achieved with Botafogo, Gutierrez told Football Insider.
“There has been interest from clubs in England, Germany, Portugal and elsewhere, but John would prefer to play in the best league in the world – the Premier League.
Liverpool and Manchester City both have Brazilian goalkeepers in Alisson and Ederson and they have both been successful in England.
“John would like the opportunity to emulate those two and become the latest Brazilian goalkeeper to showcase his talents in the Premier League.”
Altay Bayindir could leave Manchester United
Manchester United are considering their goalkeeping options as they want to provide competition for Andre Onana and amid talk that Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir could leave Old Trafford.
Bayindir is reported to be keen to leave United for regular playing time and as a result United are monitoring goalkeeping opportunities ahead of the new year and the transfer window reopening.
Tottenham are weighing up a move for goalkeeping reinforcements following the long-term injury sustained by No.1 keeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Italian international Vicario is facing several months out after undergoing surgery on a broken ankle he picked up in the win at Manchester City last month.
Fraser Forster is currently deputising for the injured Vicario, but the lack of depth in the goalkeeping department is a major concern for Tottenham if anything was to happen to Forster, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
In other news, a three-man January transfer window plan has emerged under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
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