Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

UCL club announce signing of Man Utd star, as Ten Hag’s £65m replacement plan goes up in smoke

Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag

Rangers have announced the signing of a player who never got a look in at Man Utd this season, while plans to sign a £65m-rated star in the same position have suffered a blow.

The Red Devils were content to sanction just a trio of loan signings in the winter window. Joining Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer was Jack Butland who arrived on a six-month loan from Crystal Palace.

The 30-year-old was drafted in to fill the void left by Martin Dubravka who was recalled early by Newcastle.

However, Butland was never afforded the chance to make his debut with David de Gea maintaining a clean bill of health throughout the second half of the season.

Like Sabitzer and Weghorst, Man Utd had no intention of bringing Butland back on a permanent deal. As such, the nine-cap England international will return to parent club Palace, though not for long.

Indeed, Butland is out of contract at Selhurst Park on June 30. Sensing an opportunity to strike, Scottish giant Rangers opened negotiations with the goalkeeper last week.

Both Fabrizio Romano and the Daily Mail confirmed negotiations were ongoing. The latter then stated Butland had compromised on his initial salary demands which removed the biggest obstacle to a deal being done.

Now, Rangers have officially confirmed Butland will move to Ibrox when his Palace contract expires on June 30.

A club statement read: “Rangers Football Club are delighted to announce the pre-contract signing of Jack Butland from Crystal Palace.

“Jack will officially join the club on July 1, on a four-year deal, subject to international clearance.”

Rangers will enter next year’s Champions League in the third qualifying round. With the first of the two-legged ties due to take place in early August, Butland might not have long to wait before making his UCL debut.

Man Utd goalkeeper signing derailed?

With Butland heading to Glasgow, Dean Henderson’s permanent move to Nottingham Forest accelerating, and impending free agent David de Gea still yet to sign a contract extension, a new goalkeeper is now required at Old Trafford.

Brentford’s David Raya has been linked and the Bees have confirmed he’ll be allowed to leave if £40m is bid. However, Portuguese outlet A Bola claimed it is FC Porto’s Diogo Costa who Man Utd have turned to.

The 23-year-old holds a release clause worth €75m (approx. £65m) in his current deal. A Bola stated Costa ‘will leave Porto in the summer transfer window’ and declared a move to Man Utd to be ‘well under way’.

United’s pursuit was expected to firm up after Porto’s cup final clash with Braga on Sunday. However, in the aftermath of Porto’s 2-0 victory, Costa himself poured cold water on talk of a move to Manchester.

In quotes carried by Goal, Costa told reporters on the links to Man Utd: “That’s the internet. It is a happiness and an honour to play for my favourite club [Porto]

“What they say is what they say, there is nothing concrete [with Man Utd]. I have a contract until 2027 and I hope to continue, let’s see.”

While the situation may obviously still change, Costa’s comments are far from a positive for those wishing to see the Portugal ace at Old Trafford next season.

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