Newcastle United are interested in signing West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart in January, according to the Daily Mirror.
The newspaper claims that Rafael Benitez is keen on landing the 30-year-old in the current transfer window, despite the fact he is currently on a season-long loan at the London Stadium from Manchester City.
It is understood that the Magpies have made enquiries to see if a deal would be possible, but it would take both West Ham and Man City to agree to it before taking place.
The report details that the England international is on a staggering £120,000-a-week that West Ham currently pay and it’s unclear whether they would consider sanctioning his exit.
It is further reported that Newcastle are set to receive transfer funds in January to ensure the club stay clear of relegation amid takeover plans.
Hart is currently stuck behind Adrian in the pecking order out on loan and will be keen to find some form ahead of the World Cup in the summer.
Good move for Newcastle?
Newcastle certainly could do with a new goalkeeper at St James’ Park, with both Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot no more than steady options.
However, the emergence of Hart as a transfer target is a strange one and his form this season suggests he would be a bad signing.
The goalkeeper looks a shadow of the player he was several years ago in his peak at Man City and has conceded 31 goals in his 15 games for West Ham.
Newcastle would need to go through a lot of effort just to potentially take Hart on loan for the second half of the season and it seems a fairly pointless and risky move.
This Is Futbol rating: 2/10
Likely to happen?
Newcastle are certainly miles off signing Hart and for starters his huge wage packet would be an issue.
There would also need to be a lot of correct decisions made to see him join the North East club and for now he is a West Ham player.
Benitez’s side were keen on a move for Hart in the summer, but it seems unlikely he will end up at Newcastle.
This Is Futbol rating: 2/10