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Manchester United could have saved the £4.3million they splashed out on former Fenerbache shot-stopper Altay Bayindir if they had made a move for Kasper Schmeichel on deadline day. The Dane was released by OGC Nice on Friday and is now a free agent.
A short statement posted to Twitter by Nice, read: “#OGCNice and @kschmeichel1 have decided by mutual consent to terminate the contract of the Danish international. The club wishes him every success for the rest of his career.”
The 36-year-old had 12 months remaining on his deal but his contract was ripped up after falling out of favour at the club towards the back end of last season. Nice instead signed Marcin Bulka from PSG, who started between the sticks for them in their opening three Ligue 1 fixtures against Lille, Lorient and Lyon.
Schmeichel made 36 league appearances last season, keeping clean sheets in 11 of them. He joined the club last summer on a free from Leicester City after his contract expired.
United were on the lookout for a new keeper to play second fiddle to Andre Onana and Schmeichel, son of Red Devils legend Peter Schmeichel, would have surely jumped at the chance to follow in his father’s footsteps by playing for the club in his later years. However, the seven-time Premier League winners opted to go with Bayindir instead.
At 25 years old, the Turk is a better long-term investment but given United’s financial woes, they could have done with saving the cash this summer. In July, UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body fined Man Utd £256,744 for a “minor breakeven deficit” and they had to remain cautious with their spending in order to avoid further breaches.
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Despite being handcuffed by FFP restrictions, United were able to get some decent business done including big-money moves for Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount. They have also brought Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat in on loan until the end of the season with an option to buy.
The Red Devils will pay an initial £8.6m loan fee for the Morrocan and can make the deal permanent for a further £17.1m plus £4.2m add-ons. “I’ve had to be patient for this moment but I’m someone who always listens to my heart,” said the 27-year-old.
“I am a passionate player; I want to bring that energy to the squad, and I will put everything into every action I take for the team. I know exactly how Erik ten Hag likes to work and what he needs from his players. His coaching and guidance developed me so much as a player earlier in my career; I know that he will help to bring out the best of my abilities so that I can help the group to be successful this season.”
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