Manchester United close in on free transfer for Swansea goalkeeper Kit Margetson

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Swansea City goalkeeper Kit Margetson, with the 19-year-old available on a free transfer after contract negotiations with the Welsh club collapsed.

Margetson has been at Swansea since the Under-15s level, but did not make a first-team appearance for the club. He did gain some senior experience during a loan spell with Welsh Premier League side Connah’s Quay Nomads last season. Swansea had confirmed in May that they were in discussions with the teenager over a new deal, but those talks have since broken down.

According to BBC Sport, United are now set to complete the signing, with Margetson expected to slot into the club’s Under-21s set-up as he continues his development.

The move would be United’s first arrival of the summer transfer window and their first signing under manager Michael Carrick. The club are also reportedly closing in on a separate £35 million deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson.

Margetson’s arrival comes amid a significant reshaping of United’s goalkeeping options. First-choice André Onana is set to join Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan for a second consecutive season, while second-choice Altay Bayindir is also expected to depart in search of regular first-team football — having found himself behind Senne Lammens in the pecking order last season.

United have been linked with a free transfer move for Leeds United’s Karl Darlow as back-up to Lammens, though Everton are among the other clubs said to be interested in the out-of-contract goalkeeper.

Third-choice keeper Tom Heaton has committed his future to the club by signing a new contract at Old Trafford. The former England international, who has made just three first-team appearances since joining on a free transfer in 2020, said: “It is a huge honour to continue to represent Manchester United. You can feel the determination and ambition of everyone throughout the club to keep pushing for success. I am really excited to play my role in driving us forward and helping the group to compete for the biggest honours.”