United set to snap up keeper

Manchester United are set to complete the signature of Stoke goalkeeper Ben Foster in the next 48 hours before sending him out on loan to a Coca-Cola Championship club.

United have agreed a £2.5m (€3.6m) package for Stoke’s third-choice goalkeeper, even though he has never played a first-team game for the Championship side.

United’s chief executive David Gill has agreed a deal that sees them pay Stoke £1m (€1.46m) immediately, with a further £1.75m (€2.5m) to follow if Foster breaks into the first team at Old Trafford and goes on to win international honours.

The 22-year-old, who impressed greatly during a loan spell at Wrexham last season, will travel to United’s Carrington training ground tomorrow to agree personal terms and undergo a medical.

His agent Lee Payne said: “Sir Alex Ferguson has been keen on Ben since he watched him play for Wrexham in the LDV Vans Trophy final last season.

“He sent his goalkeeping coach Tony Coton to watch him play for Wrexham several times last season and was very impressed.

“I think Sir Alex’s son Darren also mentioned to Sir Alex how good Ben was as well. We’ve agreed a deal and now it’s case of Ben going to Carrington to agree personal terms and pass a medical.”

United have signed Edwin van der Sar, 34, from Fulham this summer on a two-year deal, seven years after Ferguson initially tried to sign him from Ajax as a potential replacement for Peter Schmeichel.

Given the Dutchman’s age, however, it is not van der Sar but Foster who Ferguson views as his long-term number one.

And he is keen to ensure Foster’s progress continues this season by farming him out on loan to an as yet unnamed Championship club.

“That’s the strategy,” confirmed Payne. “To get him out on loan for one or two seasons and then, at the age of 24, to take over from van der Sar when his contract runs out.

“Playing in the Championship will be another great opportunity for Ben to show what he can do. The lad’s potential is frightening.”