Man Utd 'identify Mary Earps replacement' as Frauen-Bundesliga goalkeeper targeted

Manchester United are reported to have identified Bayern Munich goalkeeper Mala Grohs as a potential replacement for Mary Earps, who is set to leave the club for Paris Saint-Germain.

Earps, 31, is out of contract with the Red Devils on Sunday and her future had long been uncertain after she was the subject of a bid from WSL rivals Arsenal back in January. Now, she is expected to depart on a free transfer, with PSG set to make her the highest-paid female goalkeeper in the game.

United seemingly already prepared for this eventuality last summer with the acquisition of OL Reign's Phallon Tullis-Joyce, having paid a record fee for a goalkeeper. However, the American's game time was solely limited to the Conti Cup as Earps firmly held onto the number one spot.

However, despite already having Tullis-Joyce waiting in the wings, reports have emerged linking United to Bayern's Grohs. According to Sky Sport Germany, the 23-year-old is a candidate for the Manchester club as they consider their options this summer.

The report goes on to state that Grohs is 'open' to leaving Bayern in a bid to fulfil her ambitions of playing in the WSL. She has spent the whole of her professional career so far in Bavaria, initially with Bayern's second team before making her first-team debut in January 2021.

A few months later, the goalkeeper made her Frauen-Bundesliga bow and then became the club's first choice in the 2022/23 campaign. She is yet to make her senior debut for the German national team, having previously represented her country at youth level.

Last season, Grohs played 21 of Bayern's 22 Frauen-Bundesliga games, going unbeaten and conceding only eight goals. She made six appearances in the Champions League, but Bayern failed to make it out of their group, which also consisted of PSG and Ajax.

United also have home-grown goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel n the squad. The 19-year-old finished the 2023/24 campaign on dual registration with Women's Championship side Watford.

In recent days, the club has bid farewell to popular forward Lucia Garcia and captain Katie Zelem ahead of what is shaping up to be a summer of significant change.