Hull City have been linked with an audacious loan move for Manchester United goalkeeper Matej Kovar ahead of the start of the new Championship campaign this weekend.

The Tigers have eyeing up a goalkeeper capable of challenging Matt Ingram for the number one jersey this season after walking away from a move to sign last season’s 12-game loan star Karl Darlow.

Darlow has since moved to City’s Yorkshire rivals Leeds United and was involved for the Whites on Sunday in their friendly with Scottish Premiership side Hearts at Tynecastle.

Kovar is rated highly at Old Trafford having helped Sparta Prague win the Czech league last season and returned to Manchester to play the first two pre-season friendlies for United, including a 1-0 win over French giants Lyon.

The young stopper was then left out of United’s trip to the USA by Erik Ten Hag and instead continued to train with Sparta, who had hoped to make him a permanent offer but are said to have been frightened off by the 7m euro price tag, subsequently looking elsewhere.

United are seemingly prepared to loan him out hence his omission from the US touring squad, with clubs in Germany eyeing a potential move for the 23-year-old, though reports in his native Czech Republic say the Red Devils would consider a permanent exit.

Premier League outfit Aston Villa have been linked with a move for the youngster who kept an impressive 11 clean sheets in 32 games and won the league’s best goalkeeper award for his displays en route to Sparta’s title win.

Czech outlet Idnes.CZ claim City are one of the clubs keeping tabs on Kovar’s situation, with it looking increasingly likely that he’ll be leaving Old Trafford this summer.

“This day marks the end of my time in Sparta. I am very happy that I could be a part of the biggest club in the Czech Republic and help the team to win the title after a long wait,” he wrote in an emotional message on Instagram confirming his departure.

“I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to be a part of such a great team and club. With this message I would like to thank everyone at the club. From the club management to the players themselves, coaches and all Sparta employees.

“Even though my tenure only lasted ten months, I already know that I can call this place home and it will always remain in my heart. Although this story ends, the memories will remain forever.

“Lastly, I would like to thank you fans. I will always remember the support I felt from the first match until today. It was a ride none of us will ever forget.

“Even though I say goodbye to you today, I am extremely proud that I could consider myself one of you and help bring Sparta back to where it belongs. Thanks for everything Sparta I will never forget.”