West Ham sound out Man Utd keeper as chief summer signing
Published:Manchester United’s Danish stopper Anders Lindegaard looks set to leave the soon-to-be crowned Premier League champions this summer and it is believed West Ham are at the front of the queue for his signature.
The Hammers could well be in need of a new net-minder with the contract of veteran Finn Jussi Jaaskelainen due to expire at the end of the season. Lindegaard is thought to have had his fill of playing David De Gea’s understudy at Old Trafford and is keen to move on to a club where first-team football will be a staple.
The Dane has exemplified signs of promise in his handful of United appearances, doing enough to woo Sam Allardyce and his noble henchmen, who now know they have the pull of the Olympic Stadium to attract a flashier calibre of player to east London in the future.
With United thought to be in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer – Bosnian Asmir Begovic is reportedly Sir Alex Ferguson’s number one target – Lindegaard is set to fall further down the United pecking order, while the emergence of youngster Ben Amos is also likely to hinder his playing prospects next term.
The 28-year-old has chalked up 16 appearances in United colours since his £3.5m move from Norwegian side Aalesund in 2009-10 – the same season he was simultaneously crowned Goalkeeper of the Year in both Norway and Denmark – and it’s unlikely that they would demand much more than that from any potential suitors.
This would obviously appeal to West Ham who are not blessed with money to burn. For a relatively cheap sum by modern day standards, the Irons could land a player of international pedigree who could prove exceptional value for money as the club will be looking to build upon their inevitable survival in the top flight this term when the music starts again in August.
As it stands at the moment, West Ham are priced at 7/2 for a top-half finish.
All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date
