Trabzonspor in daily contact with Onana as Heaton signs one-year extension at United

Trabzonspor are in daily contact with Andre Onana over a permanent transfer from Manchester United, the Turkish club’s president has confirmed, as United simultaneously tied down veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton to a one-year contract extension.

Onana, who cost United an initial £43.8 million from Inter Milan, was dropped in favour of Altay Bayindir early in the season before being loaned to the Turkish Super Lig side. The Cameroon international has impressed during his spell in Turkey, helping Trabzonspor finish third behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce and win the Turkish Cup.

President Ertugrul Dogan confirmed the club’s intent to sign Onana permanently, saying: “We speak with Onana every day. We won’t have any financial difficulties.” United will need to accept a financial loss on the 2023 signing if a deal is to be agreed. Dogan acknowledged that a fallback option remains on the table should negotiations stall: “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.”

Meanwhile, 40-year-old Heaton has committed to a further year at Old Trafford. The former England international, who holds three caps, has made just three first-team appearances since rejoining United in 2021 for a second stint at the club. He came through United’s academy before building a career that included spells at Burnley and Aston Villa, and made his senior debut on loan at Swindon in 2005.

Heaton said of the renewal: “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.”

The goalkeeper developments come as newly appointed permanent manager Michael Carrick reshapes his squad following a third-place Premier League finish that secured Champions League qualification. Midfielder Ederson is poised to complete a move from Atalanta, while Rasmus Hojlund has converted his loan at Roma into a permanent deal, easing United’s need to carry surplus players into the new season.