Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili ahead of a potential move.
The Lowdown: Mamardashvili profiled
Mamardashvili stands at 6 foot 4 and only made a permanent move to Valencia back in January. He signed from Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi in a deal worth just £765,000.
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Since then, the 21-year-old has gone on to make 21 appearances for the Spanish side, keeping nine clean sheets and conceding 22 times.
The Georgia international only penned a deal through to 2024 with Valencia and reportedly has a release clause set at €20m (£17m).
The Latest: United phone call
Sports Witness relayed an update from Spanish outlet AS regarding Mamardashvili on Wednesday.
They claimed that Valencia are already working on extending the goalkeeper’s contract which would raise his release clause from €20m (£17m) to €30m (£25.5m).
The report name-checks United with an interest in Mamardashvili, who has now ‘received a call’ from the Red Devils, presumably chief executive Richard Arnold, over a possible move.
The Verdict: Henderson replacement?
It looks as if Dean Henderson could be on his way out of Old Trafford, with a move to Newcastle thought to be close.
Therefore, should the 25-year-old leave this summer, Erik ten Hag could be left with just Tom Heaton as back up to David de Gea.
On that basis, activating Mamardashvili’s £17m release clause could be an extremely smart move to provide competition to De Gea and in the long run.
The Spaniard will turn 32 in November, so United may soon have to think about his long-term replacement, and that could be Mamardashvili, providing he is willing to play second choice to begin with under Ten Hag.
In other news: Fabrizio Romano reveals Man Utd & Ten Hag eyeing another Dutch gem along with De Jong and Timber.