Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed on the NUFC Matters YouTube channel that Dan Ashworth is interested in bringing Yann Sommer to Newcastle United.
It had been reported a few weeks ago that a deal for Newcastle to sign Dean Henderson was close to completion, according to the Manchester Evening News. However, nothing appears to have advanced and some reports have suggested that the Magpies are now looking elsewhere with £40m being demanded for the goalkeeper.
Someone they’ve been linked with as an alternative to Henderson is Switzerland international Sommer, who despite being 33 years old, is still a regular for his club and country and could provide short-term competition for Martin Dubravka given they are of a very similar age.
Jacobs believes that since Ashworth arrived at the club, he’s taken a keen interest in Sommer.
He said: “I’m getting increasing intel that Ashworth has other No 2 goalkeeper options in mind – or even really just equivalent to Dubravka, and then fight for the No 1 spot, which is an easier sell to a goalkeeper to say, ‘we’re not bringing you in only as a No 2, we’re bringing you in to challenge’, and then it’s up to Eddie Howe.
Who would be a better keeper for Newcastle?
Dubravka!
Sommer!
“I think that the Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer falls into that category, 33; Borussia Monchengladbach, who didn’t have a great season, only finished 10th in the Bundesliga, and I am told that Ashworth prefers ramping up for Sommer over going for Henderson, and that is the current state of play.”
TIF Thoughts on Ashworth liking Sommer…
If Newcastle and Ashworth are looking to ramp up their interest in Sommer, it would surely only be for the short term or signal that Dubravka was on his way out of the club in the near future as they are both 33 years old, so they don’t exactly have a lot of years ahead of them.
However, having two experienced international goalkeepers to push each other is the kind of competition that Eddie Howe will want in his squad if they are to start challenging at the right end of the table.