Manchester United is reportedly targeting Lazio’s Ivan Provedel, according to Footballwave. At 29, Provedel has gained recognition as one of Serie A’s leading goalkeepers and has recently become a consistent member of Italy’s national squad. This season, he has stood out globally as the top-scoring goalkeeper.
In the Champions League group stage, Provedel made headlines by scoring a vital last-minute goal that earned Lazio a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid. His dramatic equalizer in the 96th minute was key in helping Lazio progress to the Round of 16, marking only the third time in Champions League history that a goalkeeper has scored from open play.
Provedel’s scoring prowess is not a new development. During his 2020 loan to Juve Stabia, he scored a late equalizer against Ascoli. Notably, he began his football career as a striker, scoring 27 goals for Pordenone’s youth team in the 2008/09 season before transitioning to a professional goalkeeper role.
Manchester United’s interest in Provedel suggests a potential shift in their goalkeeping strategy. With Provedel emerging as a strong candidate for the best-scoring goalkeeper title, he represents an intriguing option for the club.
However, Lazio’s €35 million asking price for Provedel could be a barrier for Manchester United in the January transfer window. The club might instead choose to observe his performance with an eye on a summer acquisition. Meanwhile, Andre Onana, who was signed by United from Inter Milan for €51 million (plus €4 million in bonuses), has not met expectations. Despite his impressive Champions League performances with Inter, Onana has struggled since his move to Old Trafford, with notable errors in losses to Galatasaray and Bayern Munich.
Manchester United is currently underperforming in the Premier League and has been eliminated from both European competitions and the League Cup.
The club’s interest in Provedel reflects a strategic effort to strengthen key areas of their squad, potentially overhauling their goalkeeping setup. The upcoming summer transfer window will be crucial for United as they aim to address these issues and regain their competitive form.
