Man Utd set to lose player for nothing this summer despite 'approving' exit

Manchester United are set to lose one of their first team players for nothing this summer - despite approving his exit to another club.

United are currently working on adding squad depth as they prepare for a return to Champions League football.

They have been able to bring in three new players under new permanent head coach Michael Carrick, including the midfield signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.

United have also signed goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who was a free agent after his contract at bitter rivals Leeds expired.

READ MORE: Premier League done deals: Every completed move in the 2026 summer transfer window

That deal has allowed United to move other goalkeepers on, and Andre Onana has sealed another season-long loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Altay Bayindir is set to follow him out of the door, with an agreement reportedly reached to allow him to join Spanish side Celta Vigo for the 2026/27 campaign.

United paid £4.3 million to sign the Turkey international from Fenerbahce in 2023, initially as a back-up option to Andre Onana.

He ended up making 10 appearances in all competitions during the 2024/25 season, and was chosen ahead of Onana at the beginning of last term.

Bayindir started the first six Premier League matches of the campaign, but was dropped in place of new signing Senne Lammens after a 3-1 defeat at Sunderland in September and never won his place back.

Now, with Lammens, Darlow and Tom Heaton now forming United's senior goalkeeping department, Bayindir has been deemed as surplus to requirements and will be moving on.

Man Utd set to miss out on transfer fee

According to local outlet Faro de Vigo (via Sport Witness), Vigo hope to finalise the move in the coming days, with Bayindir set to fly out to Spain to undergo a medical.

It is set to be a season-long loan move - meaning United are likely to miss out on recouping any of the £4.3 million they paid for him apart from any potential loan fees.

That is because Bayindir's contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of this season, and although the club are said to have an option to extend, Spanish journalist Alberto Bravo says that 'it seems complicated' that United will choose to exercise it.

"Altay Bayindir didn't play with Manchester United because everything is already settled with Celta," Bravo wrote on Twitter (X). "The signing documents have already been sent to A Sede after United's approval in the last few hours."

Bayindir was part of Turkey's final World Cup squad, though did not play in the tournament as his nation were knocked out in the group stages.

He has so far played no part in United's pre-season campaign, but was named among the substitutes for their 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

That looks like being his final involvement for United as he closes in on a move away from the club.