Newcastle chiefs have a decision to make over the future of Freddie Woodman, as a number of Championship sides are showing an interest in taking the 22-year-old goalkeeper on loan for the season, according to the Shields Gazette.
It is not currently clear as to whether or not United would be willing to allow Woodman to move away from Tyneside this summer, though, as the academy graduate is soon entering the final year of the Magpies contract he signed back in 2016.
The club had offered the London-born shot-stopper a new deal during the recent campaign, but he chose to reject the proposed one-year extension – which would have seen the England U21 international continue until 2021 on the same terms as his existing contract – as he would prefer to put pen to paper on a new, long-term agreement.
Woodman had also hoped to spend the recent campaign out on loan, but saw his options blocked by the club after he turned down the proposed extension, and may face a similar fate in 2019 if he again opts against signing a new deal with United.
It is claimed several Championship sides are circling with offers to take the 22-year-old on loan for the term, after Rafa Benitez only turned to his services for three FA Cup fixtures and named the £450,000-rated goalkeeper on the bench for several Premier League fixtures while Karl Darlow was injured, but without offering him his top-flight senior debut.
The board now have a decision to make over Woodman’s Newcastle future, as he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract with any side of his choosing come the New Year ahead of a free transfer next summer.
If he again opts against signing a new contract, even with the promise of a year out on loan, we would likely have to look for clubs willing to buy the England U21 international, who is currently away with the Young Lions preparing for the Euro 2019 Finals in Italy and San Marino.