Manchester United are on the verge of signing veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer, a move that underscores the scale of Michael Carrick’s summer overhaul. The 35-year-old, who left Leeds United at the end of June, made 22 Premier League appearances last season and finished the campaign as Daniel Farke’s first choice. He is also Wales’ current first-choice goalkeeper.
Darlow’s arrival is likely to trigger the exit of Altay Bayindir, who spent most of last season as understudy to first-choice Senne Lammens. With Radek Vitek also poised to leave, either on loan or permanently after impressing at Bristol City, Carrick needed additional backup given the 40-year-old Tom Heaton has not played a first-team game since February 2023.
“Manchester United are set to sign Karl Darlow on a free transfer as Carrick's £168m midfield rebuild continues.”
The goalkeeper’s impending arrival follows two major midfield signings. United secured Brazil international Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a £50m deal, and Atalanta’s Ederson is expected to complete a £38.8m transfer shortly. Those additions come after Casemiro’s exit and an injury to Manuel Ugarte heightened the urgency for reinforcements. Carrick has now overseen a £168m-plus midfield rebuild, though the club missed out on targets Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali to rival Premier League clubs after being priced out of the market.
Providing the Darlow deal goes through as expected, he will be involved in a pre-season campaign that begins against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July. Carrick’s midfield options now include Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Santos and Ederson, though an elite central midfielder remains a priority.