John Victor, Ruben Amorim
(Credit: Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Wed 25 June 2025 22:15, UK
Manchester United are eyeing a move for Botafogo goalkeeper John Victor to bolster their goalkeeping options, sources have told Football Insider.
United have held a long-term interest in Victor and scouts have been watching him at this summer’s Club World Cup.
The 29-year-old has impressed again for Botafogo in the tournament, keeping a clean sheet in their win over European Champions PSG, and in the process becoming only the second man to shutout the French side after Liverpool’s Alisson this year.
John is understood to have a clause allowing him to leave for as little as $8million (£5.8m) this summer after he agreed to stay at with the Brazilian side to play at the Club World Cup despite having offers to leave for Europe in January.
United are exploring potential replacements for current No.1 keeper Andre Onana, while Altay Bayindir is expected to leave Old Trafford in search of regular first-team football.
Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana
Onana has struggled at Man United (Credit: Getty Images)
Man Un ited plotting move for Club World Cup star
Football Insider revealed last December that Man United were plotting a winter move for John following his key role in Botafogo’s historic Copa Libertadores and Brazilian league double triumph.
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The 29-year-old’s representative, Pedro Gutierrez, admitted at the time that he had been contacted by a multitude of clubs in Europe about the goalkeeper, with Tottenham also interested, yet a move never materialised.
Appearances Goals conceded Clean sheets
78 65 32
John Victor’s Botafogo career stats (all competitions)
His preference has always been to play in the Premier League, according to Gutierrez, and United could soon offer him terms to move to Old Trafford following his impressive summer displays in the States.
The six foot five inch stopper joined Botafogo in 2024 after initially starting out at Santos, and he has previous experience of European football after featuring on loan at Segunda Division side Real Vallodolid in 2023/24.
Emi Martinez Aston Villa
United have moved on from a deal for Emi Martinez (Credit Imago)
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United are after new goalkeeping options this summer, but Football Insider revealed on Monday (23 June) that Ruben Amorim can only move for a new first-choice keeper if Onana leaves the club soon.
The Red Devils had wanted to sign Aston Villa stopper Emi Martinez, but sources have told Football Insider that Martinez has his “heart set” on joining Atletico Madrid as he wants to continue playing at the highest level amid further interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Victor is not Amorim’s only target though, with Lille keeper Lucas Chevalier also identified by United as a identified as a “cost-effective” replacement for Onana, as revealed by Football Insider on 25 June.
The 23-year-old stopper already has a wealth of experience with 150 senior club games under his belt, and has been called up to the French national team on multiple occasions thanks to his good form at Lille.
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