Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann is expected to be available for a fee of around £4m in the coming months, according to a report from Goal.
The Austrian is currently the subject of interest from Premier League outfit Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag likely to need a second-choice shot-stopper this summer with Lee Grant retiring and Dean Henderson looking set to join Nottingham Forest.
This leaves the Dutchman with very few options in the goalkeeping department and although Tom Heaton is available as a backup option to David de Gea, the former Burnley goalkeeper is currently being linked with a move to Middlesbrough.
These factors have made the goalkeeping department an area they desperately need to address and reportedly identified Karl Darlow and Bachmann as potential options to arrive at Old Trafford.
With Newcastle United seemingly unwilling to negotiate a deal for Darlow though, Bachmann could be the ideal candidate for the Red Devils, with the 27-year-old reportedly available for a fee in the region of £4m.
Bachmann made just 12 league appearances last term, spending much of the 2021/22 campaign behind Ben Foster in the pecking order, but could become number one at Vicarage Road again next season with the latter set to depart on the expiration of his contract.
The Verdict:
For the 27-year-old, the chance to train with world-class players will be tempting and this is why it wouldn't be a surprise to see him move to Old Trafford despite the fact he isn't guaranteed regular game time.
Whether he's number two or three in the pecking order could make a big difference as to whether he makes the step back up to the third tier though - because he could easily play in cup games and Europe if the second-choice stopper.
However, he shouldn't be looking to move if he's only going to be a third-choice option because at 27, he shouldn't be sitting in the stands.
Austria's failure to win a place at the World Cup potentially makes it less important for Bachmann to play regularly next season - but for the sake of his own career - he should be looking to play as much football as possible.
His contract at Vicarage Road doesn't expire until the summer of 2024, so the Hornets could and should be tough at the negotiating table if Rob Edwards sees the keeper as a key part of his first-team plans for next season and beyond then.