Manchester United interested in signing 27-year-old star on a free transfer: Reports

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Italian shot-stopper Alex Meret at the end of his current Napoli contract next summer.

Meret, 27, has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Serie A over the past few seasons. He helped Napoli end their 33-year-long title drought in 2023 and guided them to a Coppa Italia trophy in the 2019-20 campaign.

Now, according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United are hoping to snap up Meret on a Bosman move ahead of the next campaign. However, they are likely to face competition from Serie A giants Inter Milan.

Should the UEFA Euro 2020 winner secure a switch to Ruben Amorim's side, he could prove to be a fine signing. He would likely replace Altay Bayindir and provide ex-Inter Milan star Andre Onana healthy competition for the starting spot.

So far, the Udinese youth product has made 189 appearances across all competitions for his current club. He has registered 63 clean sheets and conceded 209 goals for Antonio Conte's team since initially arriving on loan in 2018.

Manchester United urged to offload 3 players

Ex-Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Neil Ruddock has told new Red Devils head coach Ruben Amorim to offload three senior Manchester United players in the near future. He told 10bet (h/t Metro):

"I think we're looking at a three-to-four-year plan, so he needs to look at the players that are over the age of 30 and ask himself what kind of role will they be playing in the future of Manchester United. That means people like Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Casemiro, those are the guys that you should be looking to move on."

Ruddock, who also represented England once as a player, concluded:

"Will there be a market for these types of players? I can't imagine that there will be a long line of teams looking to beat down the United dressing room door to take them. For United to return to the club that we know they are, Amorim is going to have to be ruthless."

Both Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are in the final year of their respective deals and could be released at the end of the ongoing 2024-25 season.

Casemiro, on the other hand, has a contract until June 2026 at Old Trafford. The 32-year-old could be put up for sale next summer with a host of Saudi Pro League sides said to be hoping to sign the former Real Madrid midfielder.