Scottish top-flight club Aberdeen are plotting a late January swoop for Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, according to the Scottish Sun.
The newspaper claims that the Dons are lining up a move for the 20-year-old and that manager Derek McInnes is in the market for a new goalkeeper amid an injury crisis.
It is understood that the England Under-20 international could move to Pittodrie on loan until the end of the season.
The report details that a loan exit is on the cards for Woodman given that he is the third-choice option in goal at St James’ Park.
Good move for Newcastle?
Woodman is certainly a highly-rated youngster at Newcastle, but a temporary exit to further his development would be the smartest move in the final few days of the January window.
The shot-stopper impressed last season out on loan with Kilmarnock and taking another step up to third-placed Aberdeen would make perfect sense.
He has been unable to force his way into the first-team picture yet for the Magpies with just one senior appearance under his belt, but he is only 20 and that is particularly young for a goalkeeper.
Rafael Benitez needs more experienced heads in the Premier League as they fight a relegation battle, but Aberdeen is a perfect destination for Woodman.
The Dons’ number one Joe Lewis is set for months on the sidelines with injury and the Newcastle fringe player could cement the number one spot there.
This Is Futbol rating:9/10
Likely to happen?
There seems no need to keep Woodman at St James’ Park in the second half of the season, especially as Newcastle were knocked out of the FA Cup on Sunday against Chelsea.
It seems likely that Aberdeen will push hard to get this deal done as they search desperately for a new goalkeeper and that could well turn out to be Woodman.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10