Manchester United look set for a busy transfer window, and the first deal could be completed sooner rather than later.
Manchester United will be finalising their transfer plans now, and have already begun some of their squad building with Harry Maguire's next contract, with Kobbie Mainoo also looking likely to put pen to paper, despite an injury which saw him miss the visit of Leeds United.
Even after the loss on Monday evening, Michael Carrick looks set to guide United back into the Champions League for next season, as the club sits third in the Premier League on 55 points. It would take United dropping a seven-point advantage to sixth-place Chelsea to miss out on Europe's elite competition.
The Red Devils face Chelsea on Saturday evening, but will be without starting duo Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez, who were shown red cards against AFC Bournemouth and Leeds United, respectively. Read more on their ban details here.
A new central defender may be on the transfer list this summer, but it appears another position will enter the priority list as a United star comes close to leaving the club.
Bayindir gets closer to United exit
Altay Bayindir has been United's backup goalkeeper for the majority of his tenure at Old Trafford, but at the start of the season, he was the first choice, with Andre Onana forced to the bench. When Senne Lammens joined, Bayindir kept his place until the final game before the first international break against Sunderland.
Bayindir has remained out of the side since then, with Lammens looking like he could be United's starter for years to come, even with Radek Vitek impressing on loan at Bristol City.
Now, The Daily Mail have reported that Bayindir's representatives have met with Besiktas and come to an agreement on personal terms. The only thing left to agree on before a transfer is confirmed is the transfer fee.
The Turkish goalkeeper joined the club for just £4.3 million in 2023, so a low fee will likely be accepted by United. This deal is all but complete.
United's summer priorities
The midfield will remain Director of Football Jason Wilcox's main priority, but Bayindir's inevitable departure will mean he is forced to look at goalkeepers, too.
Andre Onana looks set to leave the club when he returns from his loan move in Turkey, while Tom Heaton's future remains unknown, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
If all three leave, Lammens and Vitek will be the only senior goalkeepers at Old Trafford in the summer. Vitek is unlikely to accept a backup role after a brilliant campaign in the Championship and may push for another loan move.
United will be forced into signing at least one new goalkeeper, with two a real possibility. This will be alongside at least two new central midfielders, a left-winger, and maybe a left-back.
The Red Devils have also been linked with centre-backs, right-backs, and centre-forwards.