Update: |Manchester United tracking Championship duo in search for Ruben Amorim’s next signing News

Latest Manchester United transfer news with an update on their search for a back-up goalkeeper

Manchester United are eyeing up a shock summer move for Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, according to the latest reports. Ruben Amorim’s side want to sign a ‘domestic’ cover ‘keeper and replace Tom Heaton when his contract expires at the end of the season.

They have been looking at the best free-agent stoppers around this summer and Woodman has emerged as a potential target. The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of June and could leave Preston.

According to The Sun, United’s search for a domestic third-choice goalkeeper has stretched to Woodman. The ex-Newcastle and Swansea City shot-stopper has been at Preston since 2022.

It’s said that United were ‘checking on him’ before he suffered an ankle injury during the international break and he is in the frame. Woodman has been ruled out until the end of the season, so United won’t have the chance to watch him again before making a decision on whether to make a move.

Blackburn’s Aynsley Pears is also understood to be tracked by United and in contention for a possible summer move. Pears, 26, has two years left on his contract at Blackburn, however.

Woodman started his career at Crystal Palace before moving to Newcastle in 2013, aged 16. He progressed through the club’s academy and spent time out on loan at Hartlepool United, Crawley Town, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen before making his Magpies debut in January 2018 against Luton.

He made three senior appearances for Newcastle in the 2018/19 season before enjoying a successful two-year spell at Swansea City. Woodman, the son of Bromley manager Andy, made 95 appearances for the Swans before returning to Newcastle and acting as their No.1 for the start of the 2021/22 season.

However, once Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow returned to fitness, Woodman dropped down the pecking order and joined Bournemouth on loan in January 2022.

Woodman won promotion back to the Premier League with the Cherries before leaving Newcastle, after nine years, on a permanent deal that summer. He signed for Preston for an undisclosed free.

In his first season at Deepdale, Woodman won the club’s Player of the Year Award and established himself as a firm figure in the Lilywhites’ rear-guard. Since arriving at Preston, he has made 116 appearances in total.

But with Woodman out of contract this summer, Preston are preparing for life without their first-choice stopper. Preston are keen on Jesse Joronen, 32, as Woodman’s replacement and he is set to leave at Italian side Venezia.

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