Matej Kovar: Erik ten Hag to Offload Bayer Leverkusen Player He Sold at Manchester United
- A former Manchester United goalkeeper is set to be sold by Erik ten Hag after he was appointed as Bayer Leverkusen's coach
- Ten Hag sold him in 2023 to the Bundesliga team and is reportedly looking to move him on to PSV Eindhoven
- The Czech goalkeeper has been at Manchester United since 2018 and left without making a first-team appearance
New Bayer Leverkusen boss Erik ten Hag is set to sell a player for the second time in two years, after previously letting him go at Manchester United.
Source: Getty Images
Ten Hag made some questionable decisions during his two seasons at the club. He signed Antony and Andre Onana, players who have failed to meet expectations.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman ended the club's five-year trophy drought with the League Cup win in 2023 and then followed it up with an FA Cup. He was fired in October 2024 and replaced with Ruben Amorim.
After Xabi Alonso left Bayer Leverkusen to join Real Madrid, the former Ajax boss was hired to replace him in May.
Can Erik ten Hag emulate Xabi Alonso?
Ten Hag takes over a Leverkusen side that finished second after winning their first Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season.
They will need to spend significantly in the transfer market after selling their best player, Florian Wirtz, to Liverpool
Moreover, they will need to bolster their squad since they will be playing in the Champions League again.
"I've come to Leverkusen to back up the ambitions that have grown in recent years. It's an appealing role to build something in this period of transition and develop an ambitious team," Erik ten Hag said via the Bundesliga.
Who is Erik ten Hag trying to sell again?
Matej Kovar, a former Manchester United goalkeeper, is reportedly set to be sold by Leverkusen, coincidentally following Ten Hag's arrival.
The 55-year-old arrived at Old Trafford in 2022 and a year later sold the Czech goalkeeper for €9million (KSh 1.3 million). The 25-year-old goalkeeper spent a season on loan at Sparta Prague.
He was the second choice in Leverkusen's Bundesliga-winning campaign. He was the second choice last season behind Lukas Hradecky, but played in the Champions League.
Source: Getty Images
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Kovar will be sold again by the Dutchman who is building a squad for next season. The report adds that he is close to joining Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.
He impressed when called upon at Leverkusen, and some fans have been wondering why he never got a chance at Old Trafford.
Will Matej Kovar return to Old Trafford?
Andre Onana joined Manchester United in 2023 from Inter Milan, but his performances have been underwhelming. Last season, he made headlines multiple times due to high-profile errors.
Amorim is reportedly looking to sign a goalkeeper to challenge the Cameroonian, with several names linked to the move. Kovar, however, said he will consider a return to his former team.
"Of course, they're [United] still my heart. I spent many years at the club," Kovar said via MEN. "I'll take a look when I get a chance. United are going through a difficult season."
Bayer Leverkusen's transfer plans
Ten Hag will find a significantly weakened side from what Xabi Alonso had, as three players of the starting XI have been sold.
Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have left for Liverpool, while Jonathan Tah has joined Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.
Tah has since been replaced by Jarell Quansah, who arrived from Liverpool. Mark Tillman is also set to arrive imminently from PSV Eindhoven to fill the void left by Wirtz.
Brazilian winger Igor Paixão, who plays for Feyenoord, is also a potential target upfront.
Ten Hag will be hoping to have his new faces in time for their first Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim on August 23.
Is Erik ten Hag eyeing Garnacho for Bayer Leverkusen?
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Erik ten Hag could reunite with Alejandro Garnacho and Antony after taking charge at Leverkusen.
The former Ajax boss replaced Xabi Alonso at the club and is trying to bolster their attack for his first season.
Garnacho thrived under Ten Hag, but is set to leave in the coming months alongside Antony.
Martin Moses, head of Sports desk, contributed to this article by adding details about Bayer Leverkusen's plans.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
