Newcastle United look set to bring in a new goalkeeper to bolster the senior side at St James’ Park with a trio of players facing an uncertain future, according to journalist Lee Ryder.
The Chronicle’s chief Newcastle United reporter claimed in a live question and answer on the newspaper’s blog (14:25) that Karl Darlow, Rob Elliot and Freddie Woodman are all facing the possibility of leaving Tyneside this summer, with Martin Dubravka currently the number one choice between the posts.
It is stated that if manager Rafael Benitez stays at the club past the end of his contract, which expires this summer, then the Toon Army are set to see a new option in goal join the club as at least one of the aforementioned trio is sold on.
Opinion
It seems as though only Dubravka can be confident of having a place in the squad at St James’ Park next season – no surprise considering how impressive he has been in his year and a half at the club – but will he remain as first choice? A new top quality goalkeeper is unlikely to join the Magpies if he does not have a chance of usurping the current number one and Benitez seems pretty set on keeping the 2018 signing in the starting XI for the foreseeable future. It could mean that Newcastle have to look for younger prospects, players who are willing to bide their time in a bid for first team action, to join the squad next season – but then why not do everything to keep Woodman on board? Yes, he might want to be playing more regularly and his contract might up in the summer of 2020 but he is still one of the most exciting goalkeeping prospects England have to offer. His time will come if he stays at St James’ Park and Newcastle ought to make that blatantly clear.