RADEK Vitek is of interest to Middlesbrough, who have held exploratory talks with Manchester United this summer.
But sources have indicated that a deal could be difficult to do and any discussions are still at a very early stage.
Vitek starred for Bristol City on loan in the Championship last season and has made it clear he wants a move this summer to ensure he continues playing regularly.
With Senne Lammens established as Michael Carrick's number one and Vitek moving into the last two years of his contract at Old Trafford, it's said United would be tempted by a permanent sale, which would interest Boro.
But United's valuation is understood to be high, and there's said to be plenty of interest in Vitek this summer.
RECOMMENDED READING:
What two ex-Middlesbrough players told Myles Peart-Harris before summer transfer
Sebastian Berhalter arrives on Teesside to finalise Middlesbrough transfer
Middlesbrough signing makes instant impression prompting exciting Hellberg prediction
It's not clear at this stage whether Manchester United would sanction another loan, though Vitek has said he'd be interested in either a temporary or permanent move, as long as he's playing regularly.
Vitek is understood to be one of a number of potential options for Boro this summer as they look to add another senior goalkeeper to their ranks.
After previous loan spells at Accrington Stanley and in the Austrian Bundesliga, the 22-year-old continued his impressive progression with a fine campaign on loan at Bristol City, where he kept 12 clean sheets on his way to winning three Player of the Year awards last term.
He returned to Old Trafford and has featured for Carrick's side in the early stages of pre-season, but he has no interest in being deputy, which led United to sign Karl Darlow this summer. And Vitek wants a move.
"I'm ready to go somewhere again and hopefully be number one," he said last week.
Asked whether that would be a loan or permanent, Vitek said: "I'm ready for both, to be fair. It depends on what the club wants and also on the options.
"There has been a few interests on the table. We're hoping to choose the best one and hopefully it will happen soon."
With Boro set to confirm the signing of Sebastian Berhalter in the coming days, attention will then turn to strengthening at left-back and centre-back as well as in goal.
It's no secret that Max Arfsten is Boro's leading left-back target, with fresh talks having taken place with Columbus Crew this summer but as yet there's been no breakthrough on that front.
Tottenham's Ashley Phillips is one of the players in Boro's thinking at centre-half. The 21-year-old was this week left out of Tottenham's squad for their pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand. Again, like Vitek, Phillips has plenty of admirers.
Seny Dieng has been back in the picture for Boro in pre-season but the 31-year-old would still be available to leave if a move could be found this summer, which would leave Sol Brynn - last year's No.1 - as the only senior goalkeeper.
Jon McLaughlin is set to sign a new deal at the club having initially been announced on the club's retained list at the end of last season, but the 38-year-old was third choice for much of last term.