Steve Bruce is ‘happy’ to keep Karl Darlow at Newcastle United entering the final year of his contract amid transfer interest from Birmingham City, according to The Telegraph.
Birmingham have approached Newcastle to request further information on Darlow’s situation heading closer to the 2020/21 campaign, as the Championship side are without a senior shot-stopper having released two experience ‘keepers earlier this summer.
The Blues tackled last season with veteran goalie Lee Camp playing 36 of their second-tier fixtures, but opted against signing the 36-year-old to a new deal and allowed the former Northern Ireland international to depart with David Stockdale at the end of their contracts.
Darlow appeared as a potential solution for the St. Andrew’s outfit as they prepare for life under new head coach Aitor Karanka, but Bruce is willing to frustrate the Spaniard by retaining the 2021 free-agent.
Bruce sees Darlow as his preferred back-up to Martin Dubravka after sanctioning a second season-long loan spell with Swansea City for Freddie Woodman, who agreed to a new three-year deal at St. James’ Park before returning to south Wales.
Newcastle are aware that the club must make a decision over Darlow’s long-term future in the not too distant future with the 29-year-old out of contract next summer, but can be expected to hold off on a call for the foreseeable.
Will Darlow sign a new contract this summer?
Yes
No
Darlow, who earns £25,000-per-week on Tyneside, has made just 19 first-team appearances over the past three seasons and will not be expected to earn many this upcoming term, barring any unforeseen issues with Dubravka.
A second successful loan spell with Swansea for Woodman would more than likely see the 23-year-old’s stock rise above that of Darlow’s, who may then be allowed to leave the club on a free transfer after what will have been seven years of service in the North East.
Woodman kept 12 clean sheets over his 43 Championship appearances with Swansea last season, the ninth-most in the second-tier and only four fewer than chart-topping Millwall’s Bartosz Bialkowski and Brentford’s David Raya.