Fabrizio Romano: Man Utd transfer twist as club 'open contract talks' with star previously tipped for exit

Manchester United have decided to offer Tom Heaton a new one-year contract at the club, after he was originally set to leave the club this summer. The 39-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign and would be free to leave the club as a free agent if new terms aren't agreed.

It is set to be a summer of upheaval at Old Trafford and Ruben Amorim wants to have some consistency within his goalkeeper department. United are in the market for a new back-up goalkeeper at the end of the season, amid the expectation Altay Bayindir will leave the club after two years in Manchester.

The Turkish shot-stopper wants to play regular football after just nine competitive appearances for the United first team and could return to his homeland. There have also been reports linking Andre Onana with a summer exit to Saudi Arabia, though he is expected to remain at Old Trafford for at least another season and has little desire to leave the club.

Tom Heaton set for new United deal

Manchester United originally budgeted for the summer transfer window with the expectation they would not play European football, though those plans could change if they win the Europa League and gain Champions League qualification. It has been estimated that Champions League qualification would earn the club roughly £100 million in additional revenue, though they can't get too carried away about a financial boost when there is still a final to be played.

Whatever happens against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, United want to keep Tom Heaton for another season and view him as an important dressing room figure. The 39-year-old is not only vastly experienced from a lengthy playing career but he is also a leader who is always on hand to offer guidance to any teammates.

Taking to social media on Friday afternoon, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano issued an update on the veteran and confirmed talks were set to get underway over a new one-year deal, having previously reported the goalkeeper would leave the club. "Manchester United have now decided to open talks with Tom Heaton over new deal for one more season," he wrote on X. "Concrete discussions to follow for Heaton to stay as third GK until June 2026. The coaching staff pushed for this decision as delighted also with his help to young players."

Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are still all expected to leave the club as free agents this summer, with no plans for the trio to be offered new contracts at the club. A month ago, Romano tweeted: “Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans are both set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, plan confirmed.”

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