Newcastle are in ongoing talks with Middlesbrough over the potential transfer of goalkeeper Karl Darlow, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim that the North East sides are still in discussions despite the Magpies rejecting a £5million bid from Boro last week, as claimed by the Sun.
As a result of deal still being alive, the 26-year-old is expected to be missing from Newcastle’s pre-season game against Scottish side Heart of Midlothian on Friday.
Darlow is said to be keen on the move, having been told he is not set to be the club’s number one choice between the sticks in the Premier League despite his best efforts last season.
He made 36 appearances across all competitions for the club, keeping 13 clean sheets and conceding 32 goals, as he established himself as the top choice ahead of Matz Sels.
However, he lost his place in the side at the end of the season, with boss Rafael Benitez preferring to play Republic of Ireland stopper Rob Elliot following his recovery from injury.
Despite having five goalkeepers on the books, four of which have international caps at senior or youth level, the Spanish manager is in the market for an experienced man to go in nets, which will only further limit Darlow’s first team opportunities next season.