Manchester United Hold Talks Over Andre Onana Replacement

Manchester United Set Their Sights on Frankfurt’s Rising Star Kaua Santos Amid Doubts Over Onana

It’s no secret that Manchester United are gearing up for what could be one of their most transformative summers in recent memory. With a new structure at the top, financial constraints to juggle, and Ruben Amorim reportedly leading the next chapter, the club has already begun laying the groundwork behind the scenes. And one area drawing increasing attention is the goalkeeping position.

Despite being signed with great fanfare last summer, Andre Onana’s time at Old Trafford has been anything but straightforward. Now, whispers around Carrington suggest that Manchester United are at least entertaining the idea of future alternatives—and one name emerging on the radar is Kaua Santos, the 22-year-old Brazilian sensation making waves at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Kaua Santos: From Fourth Division to Premier League Radar

If you haven’t heard of Kaua Santos yet, you’re probably not alone. Less than 12 months ago, he was playing for Frankfurt’s reserve side in Germany’s Regionalliga, essentially the fourth tier of the country’s footballing ladder. Fast forward to April 2025, and he’s become one of the most talked-about young goalkeepers in Europe.

Standing at a towering 6’6″ with an immense wingspan and lightning reflexes, Kaua is now commanding the No. 1 jersey in Frankfurt while veteran Kevin Trapp recovers from injury. His performances have caught the attention of clubs across the continent—but it was during a recent Europa League quarter-final clash with Tottenham Hotspur that Manchester United made their first real move.

According to reports from SPORT BILD, Manchester United’s recruitment lead Christopher Vivell was in direct conversation with Frankfurt officials during the match in North London. The topic? None other than Kaua Santos.

Man Utd’s Growing Doubts Over Andre Onana

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When Manchester United shelled out £43 million to bring Andre Onana to Old Trafford from Inter Milan, they believed they were signing a modern, elite goalkeeper to replace the long-serving David de Gea. Onana brought Champions League pedigree and ball-playing bravado, but his debut season in England has been anything but smooth sailing.

From high-profile blunders in Europe to inconsistency in domestic fixtures, Onana has found himself at the heart of several nervy moments. While his shot-stopping ability remains unquestioned on his day, questions over his decision-making and positioning have prompted internal debate. With Amorim favoring tactical flexibility and positional fluidity, it’s plausible that a more traditional, towering presence like Kaua Santos could better suit his style.

Add to that the fact that Manchester United are reportedly looking to trim their wage bill and reallocate resources, and a rethink between the posts could well be on the table.

Frankfurt Unwilling to Sell… For Now

If Manchester United are to make a serious move for Kaua, they’ll have to get past one major obstacle: Eintracht Frankfurt’s unwillingness to sell. The club’s sporting director, Markus Krösche, has already gone on record saying:

“We will definitely not sell Kaua in the summer.”

Strong words—but they come with context. Frankfurt acted quickly last autumn when Kaua burst onto the senior scene, tying him down to a new deal that included a significant 50% pay rise and, crucially, a €60 million release clause (roughly £51.4 million).

In typical Bundesliga fashion, the club isn’t naive. They know they have a gem on their hands, and they’ve taken steps to protect their asset—at least for now.

Still, football can change quickly. And with elite clubs circling, including not just Manchester United but reportedly Tottenham and a handful of Serie A scouts keeping tabs, Frankfurt’s position may be tested sooner rather than later.

Vivell’s Longstanding Interest in Kaua

The link between Manchester United and Kaua Santos isn’t entirely new. Sources close to the club suggest that Christopher Vivell—a figure renowned for his sharp eye in talent identification—has had the Brazilian on his radar since the early months of the 2024/25 season.

Kaua first stepped into the limelight last September when Trapp was sidelined. Since then, he’s made 14 senior appearances across all competitions, showcasing not just raw athleticism but a composure well beyond his years.

His standout performance came against Tottenham, where he single-handedly denied a late Spurs onslaught to secure a 1-1 draw in London. According to German media, that was the moment Manchester United decided to “test the waters.”

Vivell’s interest isn’t fleeting either. The former RB Leipzig executive is known for his data-driven approach, but he’s equally swayed by footballing intelligence and mentality—two areas where Kaua is said to excel.

What Next for Manchester United and the Goalkeeping Situation?

Despite Amorim’s increasing influence on recruitment and team selection, Manchester United’s summer plans will be dictated, at least in part, by budget realities. With Financial Fair Play (FFP) considerations in mind and several other key positions needing reinforcement—most notably in midfield and up front—it remains to be seen whether Manchester United would allocate upwards of €60m for a goalkeeper who’s still in the early stages of his development.

That said, Onana’s future isn’t set in stone. His contract runs through 2028, but should Manchester United receive an offer or feel confident in an internal or external replacement, a decision could be made sooner than expected.

There’s also the possibility of waiting until next summer, particularly if Kaua remains Frankfurt’s undisputed No. 1 and continues to develop. Patience might be the most pragmatic approach—for both club and player.

Kaua Santos: The Next Big Thing?

For now, Kaua Santos is just starting to make his name outside of Germany. But if his rise continues at this pace, it won’t be long before he’s a regular in headlines across Europe.

A goalkeeper of his frame, reflexes, and attitude doesn’t come around often. And for a club like Manchester United—always searching for the next piece in the puzzle—he might just represent the future.

Whether that future begins this summer or next remains to be seen.