Manchester United transfer news as Ineos' agreement with UEFA stops Ruben Amorim from replacing Andre Onana with Marcin Bulka
Andre Onana
Andre Onana's future at Manchester United is unclear(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Manchester United will be unable to replace Andre Onana with OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka this summer due to an agreement with UEFA.
United are understood to be in the market for a new number one this summer after Onana's second year at the club ended with serious doubts over his position. Ruben Amorim is said to want a new goalkeeper that fits his system but the position isn't one of priority for the Reds at the moment.
Onana is keen to remain at United and turn things around but the Cameroon international is running out of time to convince senior figures inside the club that he should be the first choice. Reports over the weekend claimed that the possibility of a loan move was now being considered by United to clear the path for a new goalkeeper to be signed.
Emiliano Martinez and Diogo Costa have both been tentatively linked with moves to Old Trafford but Nice's Marcin Bulka has emerged as another candidate to replace Onana. CaughtOffside have reported that sources have stated that United have been keeping a close eye on the Poland international.
Bulka, who has been linked with a return to Chelsea, produced a number of fine performances in France last season and is expected to leave this window. However, he won't be going to United.
Last summer, United and Nice, both owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Ineos, were banned from signing players from each other as part of their negotiations with UEFA. The two teams were forced to seek clarity from the governing body 12 months ago when they both qualified for the 2024/25 Europa League.
As part of the agreement, United were allowed to play in the European competition alongside their sister club but had to agree not to 'transfer players to each other' until September 2025. A statement from UEFA read: "Furthermore, as additional evidence of their independence, the concerned clubs committed to the following.
Marcin Bulka
Man United can't sign Marcin Bulka from OGC Nice this summer
"The clubs will not transfer players to each other, whether Post permanently or on loan, directly or indirectly, from July 2024 to September 2025, with the exception of pre-existing transfer agreements that had been entered into before the opening of the CFCB proceedings;
"The clubs will not conclude any kind of cooperation, joint technical or commercial agreements between each other; and the clubs will not use any joint scouting or player database."
United previously had been keen on Jean-Clair Todibo but the defender joined West Ham. Ratcliffe revealed in an interview with Bloomberg that United had been blocked from signing a player, suspected to be the French centre-back.
Bulka is reportedly also being lined-up for a move to Saudi Arabia side Neom SC. The Saudi Pro League newly-promoted side have already signed Alexandre Lacazette and are reportedly in pole position to sign Bulka.
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