According to Corriere della Sera’s Roma edition (via Sport Witness), Newcastle United are interested in signing goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha on a free transfer this summer.
The £91.89m the Magpies spent in January is likely just the start of a series of expensive transfer windows for the club’s new owners, the Saudi Arabian Private Investment Fund (PIF). With Premier League survival looking a lot more certain following an eight-game unbeaten run earlier this year, plenty more new faces are expected to join Chris Wood, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Matthew Targett and Dan Burn as new Toon signings this summer.
Who would you rather have in goal?
Martin Dubravka
Thomas Strakosha
One of the potential new arrivals, though, would not cost a single penny in transfer fees. 19-time Albania international Strakosha’s contract at Lazio is set to run out at the end of the campaign, and with Maurizio Sarri eager to move the 27-year-old on, he has emerged as an attractive proposition for the north-east outfit.
The report states that the Magpies ‘smell the free transfer deal’ that could help support Dubravka going forward, with the Slovakian tied to St James’ Park until 2025.
But what does this mean for the options already at Eddie Howe’s disposal between the sticks? Read on to find out.
Dubravka and Darlow futures uncertain
As it stands, Newcastle’s squad contains three goalkeepers. Having failed to pick up a single minute of action this term, Mark Gillespie’s situation would hardly be impacted by Strakosha’s arrival, leaving Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow to consider their futures.
Slovakian Dubravka has been at the club since January 2018 and, until the start of the 2020/21 season, he was the undisputed number one at St. James’ Park. However, now aged 33, injuries and health issues have started to catch up with the shot-stopper. He featured just 12 times in the Premier League last term, and has already missed 12 games this time around.
Darlow has often been the man to step in when needed. However, whenever Dubravka has returned to the fold, he has usually retaken his spot between the sticks. At 31, Darlow is not getting any younger, and, having played just eight times in the top flight this term as it is, Strakosha’s presence may convince him to seek pastures new.
Who to choose?
There are arguments to be made for keeping both if Strakosha makes the switch to England, but based on pure quality, Dubravka is the better choice. With him between the sticks this term in the Premier League, Newcastle have averaged 1.47 points per game compared to 0.62 with Darlow in his place, just one of several statistics that are in his favour.
Dubravka’s increasing time in the treatment room is cause for concern, but Strakosha is just 27 and would be well-placed to fill in when necessary. Strakosha himself may become the number one, which would only ease the pressure on Dubravka, although he may not be happy to play second fiddle. If a decision is to be made between the former Sparta Prague man and Darlow, however, there is only going to be one winner.