Manchester United have reportedly approached Newcastle over a loan deal for Martin Dubravka - just months after the Slovakian shot-stopper snubbed a move to Old Trafford on deadline day.
Erik ten Hag is still desperately trying to shake up a United squad that recorded their worst ever finish in the Premier League era last term, but time is running out for the former Ajax chief, who has made just four signings so far this summer.
United are in the market for attacking reinforcements after capturing Casemiro in a £60million deal last week, but Ten Hag is also eager to bring in a goalkeeper who is comfortable playing out from the back to compete with David de Gea, who has underwhelmed in the opening weeks of the season.
According to Sky Sports, the Dutchman has identified Dubravka as a potential short-term solution to United's goalkeeper search. The shot-stopper has started the season on the bench for Newcastle following the arrival of Nick Pope, who has pinched the No.1 shirt from the 33-year-old.
If United are to get a deal for the Newcastle favourite done, then they will have to convince Dubravka to change his mind over a switch to Old Trafford after he turned down the chance to join the club during Ralf Rangnick's interim tenure back in the final hours of the January transfer window.
But United will be hopeful that Dubravka is more a receptive to a season-long loan move after losing his spot at St. James' Park as they continue to try and find a goalkeeper capable of pushing De Gea.
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Ten Hag has already suffered setbacks in his bid to acquire a new shot-stopper. Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp had emerged as the United chief's primary target, but he has elected to remain in Germany, taking to social media to reveal: "I informed those responsible at both clubs that I had decided on Eintracht."
A move for Yann Sommer has also failed to materialise, leaving Dubravka as the standout option with just one week remaining before the September 1 transfer deadline.
Since joining Newcastle, initially on loan, back in 2018, Dubravka has been a Premier League regular for the Magpies, clocking up 130 appearances. And the former Sparta Prague man fits the bill for Ten Hag, who is seeking an experienced goalkeeper capable of pushing De Gea.
There have been concerns that the Spaniard is not a natural fit for Ten Hag's preferred philosophy - particularly after his attempts to play out from the back gifted Brentford a two-goal lead in United's recent 4-0 drubbing against the Bees. But the 31-year-old did redeem himself with an improved performance in Monday night's crucial 2-1 win over Liverpool.
