Transfer Rumors: After Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United Close To Signing This Goalkeeper Ahead Of Deadline Day

Manchester United are reportedly nearing to close the deal with Southend United’s star goalkeeper Nathan Bishop. The 20-year-old is Southend’s academy product and has been in the limelight since making his first-team debut in 2017.

This news has come after it was known that Man Utd have reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon for Bruno Fernandes, who is expected to take the medical test Thursday. After Man Utd’s 1-0 win over Manchester City Wednesday, their boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was asked about the Portuguese. To which, the manager replied, "Hopefully we’ll get it over the line and then we can talk more about the boy.”

The English shot-stopper has made 17 appearances for Southend this season, across all the competitions, but has not earned enough game-time in recent weeks as head coach Sol Campbell has favored Mark Oxley over Bishop. That is believed to one of the major reasons why the young player wants to leave the Essex-based soccer club.

Bishop has also been capped by the England U-20 side, having played one match for them. His performance there caught the attention of Premier League clubs such as Man Utd.

The Old Trafford side is "close" to wrapping up a deal for Bishop ahead of the deadline day Friday. It is understood that the 20-year-old could join Man Utd’s development squad provided the club finalize the deal this winter.

Southend evidently missed Bishop in their recent loss to Doncaster Rovers. Following the 3-1 defeat, the club’s boss Campbell revealed that Bishop was set for a medical with another club. “He’s having a medical. I don’t know where but if he passes the medical he’s gone,” the Southend manager was quoted by BBC Sport.