United Eye Johnstone Return as Onana Moves Closer to Permanent Trabzonspor Switch

Manchester United are weighing up a potential return for Sam Johnstone as they prepare for life without Andre Onana between the sticks next season.

The Wolves stopper, relegated with the Midlands club, could slot in as understudy to Senne Lammels following the Belgian's impressive debut campaign. Lammels arrived from Royal Antwerp last summer for £18m and has established himself as one of the Premier League's standout acquisitions this term.

Onana, the £47m signing from Inter Milan back in 2023, has endured a difficult spell at Old Trafford but has flourished during a season-long loan at Trabzonspor. The Turkish outfit are pushing hard to make the arrangement permanent, with club president Ertugrul Dogan expressing confidence about securing a deal. "We speak with Onana every day. We won't have any financial difficulties," he stated. "We'll make the necessary sacrifices. I don't think we will experience any setbacks. But if we do, we will find another goalkeeper of the same quality."

United are holding out for €45m (£39m) to let Onana depart, leaving them needing fresh goalkeeping cover. Altay Bayindir, once Onana's understudy, is keen to escape in search of regular football after slipping down the pecking order, while veteran Tom Heaton has penned a fresh one-year contract.

Enter Johnstone. The 31-year-old emerged through United's academy and boasts serious Premier League pedigree, having made 85 top-flight appearances during spells at Crystal Palace and Wolves. Transfer expert Alan Nixon suggests the recently relegated keeper could be tempted by a homecoming, with Transfermarkt valuing him at a modest £1.7m—a bargain-basement option for a backup role.

The Johnstone move would represent United's second signing of the summer window. Brazilian midfielder Ederson has already completed his switch from Atalanta, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed all documentation between the clubs has been finalised.

"Man Utd have formally completed their first signing of the summer," Romano revealed. "The agreement between the clubs has now also been completed in writing. In terms of an official announcement and seeing Ederson holding the Man Utd shirt, we need a little more patience while the final formalities are completed."

Ederson must still complete his medical and put pen to paper on his contract following a holiday break, with an initial informal check-up already conducted positively at Atalanta's blessing. The 24-year-old has targeted a move to Old Trafford exclusively for months.

Romano added that United's recruitment drive won't end there. "Man Utd are not stopping there. They want at least one more midfielder and work is already taking place behind the scenes. After completing the Ederson deal, the club will continue to push for further additions in that area."