Manchester United are doing a major revamp at the goalkeeper #3 position on the depth chart this summer transfer window.
Just three hours ago, they announced the addition of Stoke City man Lee Grant, who became the third player (Fred, Diogo Dalot) to move to Old Trafford this summer. The 35-year-old signed a two year deal, for an undisclosed fee, which is being reported by numerous outlets as £1.5 million.
Grant will almost certainly now assume the third goalkeeper position behind David de Gea and Sergio Romero.
Prior to the announcement of Grant’s arrival on Tuesday, United also officially announced the departure of Sam Johnstone, who goes to West Bromwich Albion for a fee reported to be £6.5 million. In add-ons, the Johnstone fee could reach north of £10 million, making this deal a great piece of transfer business done by Old Trafford.
Johnstone, who spent last season out on loan at Aston Villa, is the first signing of the Darren Moore era at WBA.
After these two transactions, there is still one more deal to get done that completes the three pointed makeover.
We can confirm @SamJohnstone50 has left #MUFC to join West Bromwich Albion on a permanent deal.
All the best for the future, Sam!
Details: https://t.co/d4J9OquWYj pic.twitter.com/GHFw6bb7G8
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 3, 2018
The addition of Grant means that United can now loan U21 Portugese international Joel Pereira out for the 2018-19 season, and in the process, gain some valuable experience. The experience Johnstone gained while out on loan served him well, as he has now found a better fit for him at this stage of his career.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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