Manchester United have reportedly made a transfer offer to sign Paraguay and San Lorenzo goalkeeper Orlando Gill, according to DSports Radio. The bid, described as a 'bombshell' by Gill's agent, is worth approximately $8million (£6m).
World Cup heroics boost Gill's reputation
Gill enhanced his reputation with a series of excellent performances at this summer's World Cup, playing every single minute as Paraguay knocked out Germany before losing to France in the last 16. He will perhaps be best remembered for his heroic penalty-shootout display in the round of 32, when he denied both Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade from the spot to help his country progress.
After coming away with clean sheets against both Turkey and Australia in Group D, Gill finished with the most saves of any goalkeeper at the entire tournament – totalling 28 stops across Paraguay's five matches. Eloy Room came closest to matching Gill's extraordinary numbers in this department, making 21 saves in his three group-stage appearances for rank outsiders Curacao.
Gill's future subject of intense speculation
Gill's future has become the subject of intense speculation with his stock soaring ever higher this summer, and the player last week declared that he had received several offers to leave club side San Lorenzo. 'Offers are arriving but until something is concrete I'm going to keep thinking about San Lorenzo,' Gill told Argentine publication Ole. 'I still have a contract with San Lorenzo. If nothing official happens, my head is at San Lorenzo.'
The likes of Olympiakos, Aston Villa and Ipswich have all been credited with an interest in Gill, as well as Manchester United, despite the club already snapping up Karl Darlow on a free transfer. Torino, Fiorentina, Feyenoord and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have also been tentatively linked with the 6ft 6in 'keeper in recent weeks.
Details of the bid and contract situation
According to DSports Radio, Gill's agent confirmed to their reporter Gonzalo Orellano that a 'bombshell' offer worth in the region of $8million (£6m) had been put forward by United. It's claimed the towering shot-stopper – who has made 59 appearances in all competitions for San Lorenzo – will 'definitely' be on the move this summer.
The report adds that while Argentine outfit San Lorenzo are still yet to receive an official proposal from the Red Devils, they are ready to 'analyse the situation' should they be presented with a formal bid. Gill's current contract with San Lorenzo runs through to the end of 2027.
United's goalkeeping situation
The Paraguay international would join United as back-up for undisputed number one Lammens, who impressed across an outstanding debut season at Old Trafford last term. The man Lammens replaced between the sticks, Andre Onana, rejoined Trabzonspor on a season-long loan earlier this month having made 40 appearances for the Turkish Super Lig outfit last season.
Altay Bayindir, meanwhile, is expected to depart the Theatre of Dreams on a permanent basis, with Besiktas weighing up a move for the Turkey international. The 28-year-old was granted additional time off by United after returning from Turkey's World Cup campaign, despite not playing a single minute for his country at the tournament.
