Manchester United were in need of a new goalkeeper in the summer and were successful in signing Martin Dúbravka, who arrived at Old Trafford on a loan deal from Newcastle United.
Prior to completing the deal for the Magpies player, the Red Devils had looked at a few other custodians and among them was Rafał Gikiewicz.
Apart from Manchester United, Newcastle United also had eyes on the FC Augsburg keeper in the last window.
The Tyneside club were in the market for a new goalkeeper following the Slovakian’s decision to join Erik ten Hag’s side. They ended up adding Lloris Karius to their squad in September.
Gikiewicz’s mentioned both Manchester United and Newcastle during an interview with Canal+Sport.
“Not only was I linked, but I also signed various powers of attorney with either Manchester United or Newcastle United. In the goalkeeper market, everything works like dominoes. As Martin Dúbravka leaves, this is the place and so on,” he said, as quoted by Transfery.
“They called me from England and asked if I wanted to take a risk. At the same time, they added that something could happen in the last hours of the transfer window and whether I wanted to take a risk. I was sitting at home, so what’s the risk? I signed everything and waited for the development of events.”
The 35-year-old did not manage to get a move away from the Bundesliga side, but the option to join Manchester United or Newcastle pleased him.
“I sign such papers practically every six months. At the age of 34 or 35, interesting clubs apply. It just shows me that I am doing a good job in the Bundesliga,” he explained.
