According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United are currently in talks with Championship side Watford to sign goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann.
The Austrian goalkeeper has been identified as a replacement for Dean Henderson, who is set to join newly promoted Premier League club Nottingham Forest.
Bachmann will be Manchester United’s second-choice goalkeeper behind David de Gea next season if the transfer is completed.
Bachmann, 27, played 13 times for Watford last season, and largely played second fiddle to Ben Foster between the sticks at Vicarage Road.
Watford are reportedly not interested in letting Bachmann leave on loan and only want a permanent transfer for the goalkeeper.
It’s claimed a deal worth £4million would be enough to seal a swoop for Bachmann.
The Austrian international goalkeeper believes he can establish himself as Erik ten Hag’s cup goalkeeper next season.
Bachmann has been at Watford since 2017 and played 23 times as the Hornets won promotion from the Championship in 2020-21.
Following Watford’s promotion to the Premier League, the Austrian goalkeeper lost his place in the starting XI to Ben Foster, who has now left Vicarage Road.
Despite the exit of Foster, Bachmann isn’t expected to be first-choice goalkeeper at Watford next season in the Championship as 22 year old goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been signed by the Championship side.
With Bachmann set to be second choice next season at Watford, a move to Manchester United to be second choice would appeal to the Austrian goalkeeper, who would have the opportunity to feature in the Europa League.
Ten Hag is keen on signing Bachmann from Watford as Tom Heaton is the only other senior keeper currently at the club, with Lee Grant having retired this summer and Henderson close to joining Nottingham Forest.
Speaking about Manchester United’s interest in signing him last month, Bachmann told Sky Sports Austria: “There has been contact with Manchester United.
“It hasn’t just fallen out of the sky. I don’t know whether the team boss [Rangnick] has a say in transfer matters.
“Several clubs have shown interest in me – but the most intensive contacts have come from Manchester. It is a massive honour for a club like that to be interested in you.
“I would be second choice behind David de Gea, who has been one of the Premier League’s best keepers for years.
“But anything can happen in football. The performance principle applies. As a result, even big stars can sit on the subs’ bench.”
