Erik ten Hag set to sell ex-Man Utd player for second time in two years

Goalkeeper Matej Kovar was sold by Manchester United in 2023 and now Erik ten Hag is moving him on from new club Bayer Leverkusen after landing a Premier League star

Erik ten Hag appears set to sell Matej Kovar for a second time in two years having also offloaded the goalkeeper while at Manchester United.

Dutchman Ten Hag has replaced Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen and already welcomed in new first-choice stopper Mark Flekken from Brentford. And that has led to the Bundesliga giants agreeing a deal with PSV Eindhoven for Kovar, who left Old Trafford to little fanfare in 2023 while Ten Hag was in charge.

The Czech Republic international expects to be first choice under Peter Bosz at PSV and Leverkusen will earn about £3.5m for selling him – a similar fee to what they paid United. The proposed deal also includes a sell-on clause. Club captain Lukas Hradecky and Niklas Lomb are the other goalkeepers in Ten Hag’s squad.

Ten Hag has also added defender Jarell Quansah from Liverpool, though Leverkusen have seen star men Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz head to Anfield in deals worth a combined £150m.

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At Old Trafford, meanwhile, an exodus is expected in the coming weeks. Ten Hag’s replacement Ruben Amorim has informed five players that they do not need to report for the first day of pre-season training on Monday, allowing them time to find new clubs.

Marcus Rashford remains linked with a move abroad with Bayern Munich and Barcelona among those showing an interest after Aston Villa decided against picking up the option to make his loan a permanent deal following a mixed spell ended early by injury in the second half of last season.

Beyond Rashford, United have granted permission for four other players to NOT return for pre-season training on Monday as they seeks moves away.

Alejandro Garnacho was reportedly told he could find a new club after row over being benched for May’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.

Chelsea turned down the chance to sign Jadon Sancho for £5m at the end of his mediocre loan move last season and has recently been linked with a switch to Juventus.

Antony spent the second half of last season on loan at Real Betis and was keen on making deal permanent but financial hurdles have complicated it, while left back Tyrell Malacia was at PSV Eindhoven for the second portion of last season, making 12 appearances in all competitions.

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