Andre Onana of Manchester United
Andre Onana of Manchester United
Manchester United's goalkeeper situation is one to watch this summer.
Neither Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir have entirely convinced during their two years at Old Trafford although Onana has had spells of form that suggest he has what it takes to be United number one.
The issue for United is that they have often been bookended by high profile errors and the decision they have to make is whether to keep faith with the Cameroon international this season.
Talks of a high profile move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez have emerged in recent days and the Argentina international has established himself as one of the world's best.
He is a World Cup and Copa America winner with his country and has helped Villa qualify for the Champions League during his time in the West Midlands.
Any move for Martinez would likely see Onana move on as he wouldn't be happy playing second fiddle just two years after making a £47million move from Inter Milan.
With that in mind, Monaco's interest in Onana emerging on Friday was curious in its timing, with the French club looking to sign a new goalkeeper this summer.
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Onana has always maintained he wants to remain at United but should United want to advance any interest in Martinez, Monaco's interest in Onana could prove very handy.
A report in L'Equipe also cited Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir as potential options but it is thought Onana and Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic are their preferred targets.
And that is where any United transfer plan involving Martinez and Onana could become problematic.
The Serbian international spent last season on loan at Strasbourg and helped them qualify for European football next season.
Having already impressed in France last term, the 25-year-old could be more attainable than Onana given Chelsea's current goalkeeper situation.
Petrovic asked to be left out of the Blues' Club World Cup squad to focus on sorting out his future. And while his time at Stamford Bridge isn't necessarily over, he remains the standout candidate out of their four goalkeepers to leave this summer.
Chelsea have 23-year-old Filip Jorgensen and 19-year-old Mike Penders, who is considered one of the brightest young prospects in European football, and there is a feeling Petrovic being made number one could stunt their development.
That is despite doubts over the performances of current number one Robert Sanchez leading Chelsea to attempt to buy AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan earlier this summer.
If Monaco move for Petrovic, it kills their interest in Onana stone dead and, in turn, damages any move for Martinez.
United may move for a high profile goalkeeper this summer but that would almost certainly spell the end for Onana's time at the club.
What is more likely to happen is Onana remains at United and they bring in a stronger number two to compete with him. In that case, Bayindir would be moved on.