Man Utd might lose a player for free this summer, even though they agreed to let him go.
Manchester United are about to let one of their first-team players leave for free this summer, even though they agreed to let him join another club.
Right now, United are working on strengthening their squad as they get ready to play in the Champions League again. Under their new permanent head coach, Michael Carrick, they’ve signed three new players, including midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Chelsea and Aston Villa.
They’ve also brought in goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who joined as a free agent after his contract with rivals Leeds ended. This signing helped United move other goalkeepers, with Andre Onana going on loan for another season to Turkish club Trabzonspor.
Now, Altay Bayindir is set to leave too, with a deal in place for him to join Spanish team Celta Vigo on loan for the 2026/27 season.
United paid £4.3 million to sign Bayindir from Fenerbahce in 2023, mainly as a backup to Onana. He played 10 times in all competitions during the 2024/25 season and started the first six Premier League games last season. But after a 3-1 loss to Sunderland, he lost his spot to new signing Senne Lammens and didn’t get it back.
With Lammens, Darlow, and Tom Heaton now the main goalkeepers, Bayindir is no longer part of the plan and will be moving on.
Local news source Faro de Vigo (via Sport Witness) says Celta Vigo hopes to finish the deal soon, and Bayindir is expected to fly to Spain for a medical check. It’s likely a season-long loan, so United probably won’t get back much of the £4.3 million they spent, aside from any loan fees.
Bayindir’s contract at Old Trafford ends after this season. Although United have the option to extend it, Spanish journalist Alberto Bravo says it seems unlikely they will.
“Altay Bayindir didn’t play with Manchester United because everything is already settled with Celta,” Bravo tweeted. “The signing papers have been sent after United’s approval.”
Bayindir was part of Turkey’s World Cup squad but didn’t play as the team was knocked out early. He hasn’t featured in United’s pre-season games but was on the bench during their 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
That looks like it will be his last involvement with the club as he prepares to move on.