Manchester United is reportedly considering a move for Lazio’s goalkeeper, Ivan Provedel, as per sources from Footballwave. The 29-year-old has earned a reputation as one of Serie A’s standout goalkeepers, and his performances have secured him a regular spot in Italy’s national team.
Provedel’s rise to prominence this season has been driven not only by his shot-stopping abilities but also by a rare and remarkable achievement for a goalkeeper—scoring a goal on the international stage. His most memorable moment came during the Champions League group stage when he scored a last-minute equalizer in a match against Atletico Madrid.
His 96th-minute header secured a 1-1 draw for Lazio, helping the team advance to the tournament’s round of 16. This made Provedel just the third goalkeeper in Champions League history to score a goal in open play.
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Provedel found the back of the net. Back in 2020, while on loan at Juve Stabia, he scored another late equalizer, this time against Ascoli. His goal-scoring prowess can be traced to his early years as a player, when he initially started his career as a striker.
As a youth player for Pordenone in the 2008/09 season, Provedel managed to score 27 goals before making the switch to the goalkeeper position.
Manchester United’s interest in Provedel suggests they may be looking to shake up their goalkeeping department. While the club currently has a well-regarded ball-playing goalkeeper in Andre Onana, Provedel’s unique talent, which includes the rare ability to score goals, could be a valuable asset.
However, Lazio’s asking price for Provedel, reportedly around €35 million, could present a challenge for United, especially during the upcoming January transfer window. The club may instead revisit the option of signing him in the summer.
On the other hand, Andre Onana, who joined Manchester United from Inter Milan for €51 million (plus €4 million in bonuses), has not met the high expectations placed on him. Despite his stellar performances with Inter, where he led the Champions League in clean sheets and was praised for his ball distribution, Onana has struggled at Old Trafford.
His tenure has been marred by high-profile errors, particularly in matches against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich, leading to growing frustration among fans.
United’s struggles have been noticeable this season, with the team trailing in the Premier League and already eliminated from both European competitions and the League Cup.
The potential signing of Provedel could signal Manchester United’s intent to address these weaknesses and reinforce key positions, as they aim to regain their competitive edge across all competitions when the summer transfer window reopens.
