Manchester United Battle Premier League Rivals in Race for Star Goalkeeper

Manchester United faces competition from Everton as both clubs pursue Botafogo's goalkeeper John Victor, according to recent reports.

Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim is reportedly seeking a new shot-stopper for the upcoming summer window due to uncertainties surrounding current number one André Onana's performances, with the Cameroonian keeper recently expressing doubt about his future at Old Trafford past the transfer period.

Aston Villa's Emiliano Martínez and Atalanta's Marco Carnesecchi have emerged as possible candidates for the position, though Brazilian media outlets have now included Botafogo's John among the potential targets.

UOL initially identified the 29-year-old as a United target, with Globo Esporte subsequently confirming the story, claiming the Manchester club established contact with John during the January window.

This interest prompted John to sign a new deal with Botafogo, though he continues to feature on United's radar, with club scouts observing his performances during the recent Club World Cup. Despite this monitoring, no official bid has been submitted.

Should United decide to move forward with their interest in John, they will likely face competition from Everton, who have reportedly contacted the player's agents to discuss potential transfer terms.

The exact transfer fee for John remains uncertain. While his contract includes a release clause, estimates vary significantly, with some sources suggesting $8 million (£5.9 million) while others claim the figure is "substantially higher".

The current report avoids specifying an amount but confirms that John's recent contract extension resulted in an increased release clause that was already considered steep by many observers.