Erik ten Hag transfer twist: Kovar for sale again

Erik ten Hag transfer decisions have once more hit the headlines, with fresh reports in Germany suggesting Bayer Leverkusen are preparing to off-load Matej Kovar less than a year after prising him away from Manchester United.

Erik ten Hag transfer call revisited in the Bundesliga

When Leverkusen paid around €5 million for the Czech goalkeeper last August, many viewed it as another astute Erik ten Hag transfer, mirroring the kind of squad-shaping deals he attempted at Old Trafford. Yet the unbeaten Bundesliga leaders have barely used Kovar in the league, limiting him to domestic cup ties and the UEFA Europa League. According to Bild, sporting director Simon Rolfes and coach Xabi Alonso — acting on the advice of their technical consultant Ten Hag, who remains in close dialogue with the German club — now feel they can cash in on the 23-year-old during the summer window.

Why Leverkusen are ready to sell

Leverkusen’s No.1 Lukáš Hrádecký has enjoyed a career-best season, keeping 13 clean sheets in 24 top-flight outings and becoming a vocal on-field leader. His form, combined with Alonso’s possession-oriented system, has left Kovar stranded on the bench. Rather than allow the former United prospect to stagnate, club chiefs believe that a swift Erik ten Hag transfer exit for the keeper could bank a healthy profit and free wages for a new back-up more comfortable with a rotational role.

Manchester United’s ongoing keeper search

Ironically, an Erik ten Hag transfer in the opposite direction may unfold at Old Trafford. United are expected to recruit a young shot-stopper to challenge André Onana, and Kovar — who made his Red Devils debut in a pre-season friendly last July — has admirers inside Carrington. However, the Premier League club inserted only a standard sell-on clause in last summer’s deal, not a buy-back option, meaning any return would cost in excess of €15 million.

How Kovar has performed this season

Despite limited league minutes, Kovar’s six appearances in the DFB-Pokal have yielded four clean sheets, including a standout display against Stuttgart in the quarter-finals. He boasts a 79 percent save rate across all competitions, underscoring why Leverkusen feel they can command a sizeable fee. Scouts from Ajax, Benfica and Brentford were present for Leverkusen’s Europa League tie versus Qarabag, where Kovar saved a late penalty to preserve a 2-2 draw.

Xabi Alonso’s view on the situation

Alonso publicly praised Kovar in February, calling him “a model professional,” yet he refused to guarantee game-time. Sources close to the dressing room say the Spaniard wants a keeper who is stronger with the ball at his feet — a hallmark of any Erik ten Hag transfer target — to maintain Leverkusen’s high back-line and rapid counter-press.

The financial angle of another Erik ten Hag transfer

Leverkusen’s hierarchy are confident that a summer goalkeeper reshuffle could net up to €10 million in pure profit. That money would be channelled into retaining loanees like Borja Iglesias or funding a move for Stuttgart’s Alexander Nübel. An outgoing deal would also soften the blow if European heavyweights attempt to lure away star defenders Edmond Tapsoba or Jonathan Tah.

Potential destinations for Kovar

1. Ajax: The Dutch giants admire his reflexes and aerial command, and the Eredivisie would provide regular starts.
2. Brentford: With David Raya expected to join Arsenal permanently, the Bees need competition for Mark Flekken.
3. Benfica: Portuguese scouts see Kovar as a long-term replacement for Odysseas Vlachodimos.

All three sides maintain direct lines to Old Trafford, where past Erik ten Hag transfer dealings set a precedent for swift negotiations.

United’s goalkeeper carousel since De Gea

Since David De Gea’s exit last summer, United have cycled through Onana, Altay Bayındır and veteran Tom Heaton. An academy reunion with Kovar would fit the club’s youth-centric model under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but only if the valuation makes sense. Insiders indicate United do not want to overspend on a position already filled by a £47 million signing.

Could Kovar stay and fight?

Staying is not completely off the table. Hrádecký’s contract expires in 2025, and Leverkusen have yet to begin renewal talks. If the Finland skipper angles for a lucrative final contract elsewhere, Kovar might suddenly find himself promoted. Even so, the prevailing opinion among those familiar with Erik ten Hag transfer strategies is that both parties prefer a decisive move rather than lingering uncertainty.

Fan reactions to the rumoured sale

Supporters on social media are split. Some applaud the board’s ruthlessness, citing Kovar’s limited minutes, while others worry about squad depth as Leverkusen prepare for Champions League football next term. United fans, meanwhile, joke that an Erik ten Hag transfer merry-go-round never truly stops, pointing to Jadon Sancho’s Borussia Dortmund loan and Donny van de Beek’s Frankfurt stint as proof.

What happens next?

• April: Leverkusen will listen to offers once the international break ends.
• May: Kovar’s agent is scheduled for talks in London, hinting at Premier League interest.
• June: The player joins the Czech national team for Euro 2024 preparations, a shop window that could inflate his price.

By July 1, all parties aim to have clarity — an approach consistent with every major Erik ten Hag transfer blueprint.

Conclusion: a familiar cycle

If the deal materialises, Kovar would become one of the few players sold twice in consecutive summers by the indirect hand of the same coach. Whether it is shrewd business or short-termism depends on your viewpoint, but what is undeniable is that the relentless churn of the modern market ensures no career path is linear.

Opinion: From a neutral perspective, this proposed move makes sense for both sides. Kovar deserves regular action at 23, and Leverkusen can profit while still topping the Bundesliga. Yet there is a cautionary tale here about trusting any Erik ten Hag transfer to provide long-term stability; football, like form, is fleeting, and even a seemingly perfect fit can be repackaged and sold within a year.