Dubravka, Flekken and the goalkeepers Man Utd are targeting
Karan Tejwani
- 29 Aug 2022 14:40 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United have been linked with a host of goalkeepers over the last few weeks as they hope to bring in a competitive second choice to challenge David de Gea this season.
They have targeted goalkeepers from various leagues, and have already seen interest turned down for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Yann Sommer and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp.
Despite that, there are still several options available for Erik ten Hag to explore before deadline day, so which ones could he go for before Thursday’s closing of the window?
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Martin Dubravka
This looks like the likeliest option as Martin Dubravka is open to joining Manchester United, and Newcastle are also reportedly looking to make the best deal to make it happen.
Dubravka has significant Premier League experience, and with his club signing Nick Pope from Burnley earlier in the transfer window, he will have lesser opportunities with the first-team.
There is doubt over whether he can truly challenge De Gea and push him to become better, which is a concern, but the deal looks set to happen soon regardless.
Mark Flekken
The Independent reported that Manchester United are interested in a deal for Freiburg goalkeeper Mark Flekken and think a deal is doable.
The Dutchman has impressed for the club in the Bundesliga and has the desired qualities that Ten Hag likes: passing, commanding the box and moving off his line.
This would also represent a better deal than the one for Dubravka, and at 29, he’s certainly got more time ahead of him to compete at Manchester United.
𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘? Mark #Flekken has conceded only 2️⃣9️⃣ goals this season, the second best in the #Bundesliga. 👏 ⛔️ pic.twitter.com/cQX9bgJSXi
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) March 30, 2022
Alex McCarthy
Another goalkeeper from a Premier League club, Southampton’s Alex McCarthy, who would be open to a move with the Saints preferring Gavin Bazunu to him.
The 32-year-old has a lot of experience in English football and had been Southampton’s number one for several years until this campaign.
With his role at Southampton now reduced, he will come in cheap and a deal should be easy to facilitate if Manchester United want him.
Odysseas Vlachodimos
Manchester United have been linked with Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos earlier this month, but this is arguably the most difficult deal of the lot.
Vlachodimos is still the Portuguese side’s number one and wouldn’t want to let him go for cheap, especially this late in the transfer window.
United might also face competition from other clubs – namely, Leicester City, who are looking for someone to take over from the departed Kasper Schmeichel.
