Man Utd hold talks over Andre Onana replacement | OneFootball

Manchester United are said to have already begun talks with Eintracht Frankfurt regarding a move for goalkeeper Kaua Santos, according to a report in Germany.

Less than a year ago, Kaua was playing for Frankfurt's second-string side in the fourth-tier of the German footballing pyramid. Now the hulking Brazilian 22-year-old is thought to be on the radar of elite sides from across the continent.

Kaua has blossomed in the absence of Frankfurt's captain and first-choice goalkeeper Kevin Trapp in recent weeks, putting in a particularly impressive performance to preserve a 1-1 draw for his side in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur. It was during that tie in north London that United tested the waters of a potential move, according to SPORT BILD.

United's all-encompassing recruitment specialist Christopher Vivell was said to be in conversation with his Frankfurt counterpart about a deal for Kaua. Tottenham's technical director Johan Lange was reportedly part of the same discussion.

Vivell's interest in Kaua supposedly dates back to the start of the season, when the towering keeper earned his first minutes of senior football during Trapp's first spell on the sidelines last September. In a typically swift attempt to snuff out any transfer interest in its infancy, Frankfurt's wily sporting director Markus Krosche extended Kaua's contract and handed him a 50% pay rise in October. That deal is thought to include a €60m (£51.4m) release clause.

Whether United - or any other suitor - would be willing to stump up such a lofty fee for a player who has only made 14 senior appearances remains to be seen. Frankfurt's stance is clear. "We will definitely not sell Kaua in the summer," Krosche recently declared.

Even if he remains in Frankfurt, Kaua is a goalkeeper to keep an eye on. Standing at 6'6 with a suffocating wingspan, the 22-year-old is expected to maintain his starting berth even when the experienced Trapp returns from injury.

United's current number one, Andre Onana, has endured a chaotic couple of weeks at Old Trafford, with increasing speculation that Ruben Amorim is chasing after a new goalkeeper. However, in a summer of financial restriction, recruitment resources may be used to strengthen areas of the squad beyond the posts. Should United still be in search of a goalkeeper next summer, Kaua Santos could come under consideration once again.