Orlando Gill is tired of the rumors floating around. The Paraguay international goalkeeper has been linked with a move away from San Lorenzo for weeks, and Manchester United keeps popping up as a potential next stop. Now he’s gone on record to clear the air.
Gill confirmed that someone has told him there is interest from clubs. But no one has actually made a real offer yet. He said it plainly: “I can’t say yes or no. They told me there is interest, but not a formal offer.” The 26-year-old isn’t getting ahead of himself. He wants to sit down with San Lorenzo and figure out what makes sense for everyone.
What’s the price tag?
Here’s where it gets interesting. Gill mentioned a release clause in his contract, and he expects it to be honored. According to reports, that clause is set at around $6 million. For a goalkeeper who just helped Paraguay knock Germany out of the World Cup in a penalty shootout, that feels like a bargain. A guy with that kind of performance on the biggest stage doesn’t come cheap, but $6 million is borderline pocket change for a Premier League club.
Manchester United already has Senne Lammens as a backup option, but they could use another body in goal. Competition for the second spot would push both guys. And honestly, a proven international keeper for that price is the kind of depth move United has been missing.
World Cup performance turned heads
Gill was a big reason Paraguay made it as far as they did this summer. His penalty shootout heroics against Germany were the kind of thing that gets scouts looking him up. He showed composure and quick reflexes, the kind of stuff that translates to a higher level. It’s not hard to see why a club like United would be interested.
“I don’t want to get carried away,” Gill said. “We’ll sit down and speak with the club to see what is best. I have a clause in my contract and I think it has to be respected. Then it depends on the club. If it’s good for both parties, we’ll have to reach an agreement.”
That sounds like a guy who knows he’s got options but isn’t about to burn bridges. Smart move.
For Manchester United, this is the kind of low-risk, high-reward play the front office should be all over. A World Cup-tested goalkeeper for six million euros? That’s not even a gamble. That’s just smart business.
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