Newcastle have been linked with a summer swoop on newly-promoted Norwich City to sign the Canaries’ reserve goalkeeper Jon McCracken by Football Insider, but not every Magpies supporter would be keen on signing the 19-year-old.
McCracken spent the recent campaign as Daniel Farke’s third-choice option between the sticks, and would only make the first-team’s bench while former Toon star Tim Krul held down the position without missing a minute.
Instead, the Premier League 2 was where the Wishaw, Scotland-born shot-stopper would continue to hone his trade, with 13 outings in the U23 competition.
However, more than 1,000 minutes in the Canaries’ junior net saw the former U16 and U17 international concede 34 goals, with the ball whistling past his gloves every 34.4 minutes on average – only keeping one clean sheet.
Despite that, and Stoke hitting McCracken for seven, Football Insider understand the Magpies transfer team are exploring a move for the teenager, as the club are keen to further bolster our goalkeeping department.
Norwich are also thought to be open to their academy product moving on for free, if the potential suitor would present McCracken with the chance to kick-start his career.
One of the concerns raised by supporters reacting to the potential of McCracken moving to Tyneside has been the place in the Toon squad for Freddie Woodman, who already has an uncertain future.
Reports on Woodman’s Magpies career of late have suggested the club are keen to retain his services, but their resolve could be put to the test, as he will enter the final year of his contract come July 1.
Doubt also continues to linger when it comes to Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow, while Rafa Benitez is thought to be keen on having three first-team worthy options in goal should he continue his managerial career at St James’ Park.
Whether McCracken is ready to be one of those is up for debate, and it doesn’t seem like the argument has been in his favour thus far…
I prefer his brother, Phil…..
— ????????♀️Monochrom£ ????Sh£ikh????????♀️ (@MackemSlayer51) June 19, 2019
What’s the point we’ve got Freddy woodman
— Oliver Waddington (@OliverWaddingt1) June 19, 2019
This is a bit of a change in direction from a few weeks ago when Mbappe, Neymar’as names were being thrown about ???????????? back to reality with a 19 year old Norwich keeper being the signing of discussion for us ???????????? #NUFCTakeover
— Sheikh Baxter of Chan (@PaulBax52823336) June 19, 2019
Woodman away then….
— The Geordie Boot Boy #NUFC (@BootGeordie) June 19, 2019
My first instincts too if i believed we are signing anyone soon
— Simon (@LittleHenryD) June 19, 2019
How many keepers does a club need seriously?
— joe erskine (@wesleymartin09) June 19, 2019
Is he better than Woodman? Don’t think so. Why buy another GK unless he’s happy to staying in the reserves
— Peter Liddle (@PeterLiddle1) June 19, 2019
Aye. Because we need another keeper ????
— Mitch forster (@mitchforster) June 19, 2019
Release the McCracken!
— Danny0 (@DannyNUFC360) June 19, 2019