Manchester United is reportedly considering a move for Lazio’s goalkeeper, Ivan Provedel, according to Footballwave. The 29-year-old has emerged as one of Serie A’s standout shot-stoppers, earning a spot in Italy’s national team. Provedel’s performances this season have drawn significant attention, not only for his goalkeeping skills but also for a rare accomplishment—scoring a goal at the international level. One of his most memorable moments came during the UEFA Champions League group stage when he scored a dramatic last-minute equalizer against Atletico Madrid.
Provedel’s 96th-minute header resulted in a 1-1 draw for Lazio, which played a key role in the team advancing to the tournament’s round of 16. This achievement made him only the third goalkeeper in Champions League history to score a goal in open play. However, this wasn’t the first time Provedel found himself on the scoresheet. In 2020, while playing on loan for Juve Stabia, he scored another late equalizer, this time against Ascoli. His unique ability to score goals is rooted in his early playing days when he began his career as a striker. As a youth player for Pordenone during the 2008/09 season, Provedel netted 27 goals before switching to the goalkeeper position.
Manchester United’s interest in Provedel hints that the club may be looking to overhaul its goalkeeping department. While United currently has a highly regarded goalkeeper in Andre Onana, known for his ball-playing skills, Provedel’s distinct talent of scoring goals could offer an additional dimension to the team. However, Lazio’s asking price for Provedel, reportedly around €35 million, might be a stumbling block for United, especially during the January transfer window. As a result, the club could potentially revisit the idea of signing him during the summer.
Meanwhile, Onana, who joined Manchester United from Inter Milan for €51 million (with an additional €4 million in bonuses), has struggled to live up to the expectations at Old Trafford. Despite being lauded for his impressive performances with Inter, where he led the Champions League in clean sheets and was praised for his passing and distribution, Onana’s tenure at United has been overshadowed by costly mistakes. High-profile errors in matches against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich have left fans frustrated, adding to the team’s broader struggles this season.
Manchester United has found itself trailing in the Premier League and has already been eliminated from both European competitions and the League Cup. The possible acquisition of Provedel could signal United’s intent to strengthen key positions and regain its competitive edge across all competitions, possibly focusing on a summer transfer if a January deal proves difficult.