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Besiktas are intensifying their efforts to sign Andre Onana, as a potential transfer battle is brewing in Türkiye for the 30-year-old goalkeeper, according to fresh reports.

Although Onana personally wishes to make a comeback, Manchester United are determined to offload him after he spent last season on loan with Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor. The arrival of Senne Lammens last year pushed Onana down to third choice under then-manager Ruben Amorim, who began the campaign with Altay Bayindir before bringing in the 23-year-old Belgian.

Even though Amorim has since left Old Trafford, United’s management remains firm on their plan to part ways with both Onana and Bayindir this summer. Trabzonspor are keen to retain the Cameroon international following his successful loan stint, during which he helped them secure the Turkish Cup with a 2-1 victory over Konyaspor.

However, Trabzonspor are unlikely to meet Manchester United’s valuation and instead prefer to pursue another loan deal. This situation has opened the door for Besiktas to step in and attempt to hijack the move, according to Turkish publication Fotomac.

The report claims that Besiktas have “opened negotiations” with the Red Devils, believing that Trabzonspor will “be unable to submit a satisfactory offer.” The Black and Whites, who were managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for eight months last year, are eager to “complete the transfer” if their rivals cannot advance in talks.

While Manchester United’s preference remains to sell Onana outright, the report adds that there is now an increasing acceptance within the club that a permanent deal may not be feasible, especially as the goalkeeper’s wages are set to rise with the club’s return to the Champions League.

As a result, the INEOS-led ownership is reportedly “open to loaning the player out again,” despite initially pushing for a permanent transfer.

Interestingly, Besiktas are also heavily linked with Altay Bayindir. The 28-year-old Turkish international, who previously played for Fenerbahce before joining United, is reportedly close to sealing a return to Istanbul.

Among their two goalkeepers currently on the transfer list, United are more eager to finalise Onana’s exit than Bayindir’s, as the latter’s wages and valuation align more reasonably with his backup role. Onana, who joined from Inter Milan for £47.2 million in 2023 and was once described by Pep Guardiola as “exceptional,” has turned out to be one of Manchester United’s most disappointing signings in recent memory.

If Besiktas focus their attention on acquiring Onana rather than Bayindir, it would be a welcome outcome for the United hierarchy, even if it means finding a different destination for the 6’6” Turkish goalkeeper.