PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: John and Alex Telles #13 of Botafogo celebrate after the team's victory in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group B match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Botafogo FR at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 19, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Manchester United are yet to do any significant business in the transfer market, both in terms of arrivals and departures, except for the early capture of Matheus Cunha from Wolves. It has been slow moving for the English club.
However, what Man Utd don’t have is the luxury of time. There is so much work to do with the squad to give Ruben Amorim a group of competitive players who could help him build his project at Old Trafford and they need to start, sooner rather than later.
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Last season, as the months wore on, it seemed increasingly evident that Amorim was not happy with Andre Onana as his starting goalkeeper. Following the loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, the Portuguese tactician dropped the Cameroonian from the matchday squad for the final game of the Premier League season.
Signing a replacement for the ex-Ajax man could be on the cards, and one unlikely name that has been linked with the Red Devils is Botafogo shot-stopper John Victor. As per Meiahora in Brazil, Man Utd are set to formalize a bid for the 29-year-old.
John is said to have a release clause in his contract of around £6million. It is a very attainable fee for Man Utd and it is something that they could pull-off, even without selling Onana, although that might not be the play.
CWC class
The Brazilian shot-stopper grabbed eyeballs with his performances in the Club World Cup, In four games that Botafogo played in the competition, John conceded just three goals and also managed to keep a clean sheet, making a number of eye-catching saves.
While the 29-year-old managed to give a good account of himself at the highest level, Man Utd need a goalkeeper who has the experience of having played at a top club in Europe before and John would be too big a risk.
It makes sense that Man Utd want to move on from Onana but with all due respect, John is not the solution. The Red Devils need to be more clever with who they go for this summer and let’s wait and see how things play out.