Newcastle Utd News

Report: Lower league side ‘would love to sign’ £1.8m-rated NUFC man attracting vast interest

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Image for Report: Lower league side ‘would love to sign’ £1.8m-rated NUFC man attracting vast interest

Swansea City ‘would love to sign’ Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell in South Wales, according to the Chronicle.

Woodman joined the Jacks’ bid for promotion back into the Premier League last summer on a one-season deal, having only agreed to pen a contract extension at St. James’ Park on the provision that he would be able to temporarily leave the club to secure regular first-team football.

The 22-year-old had turned down the Magpies’ previous offers to extend his spell on Tyneside after being told he would be Rafa Benitez’s third-choice option, and United could face a similar situation this summer with Woodman only under contract until 2021.

Swansea would be keen to offer Woodman a route out of St. James’ Park if the former England U21 international feels his future is not with the Toon, but face having to wait for the shot-stopper to decide his career path as the ‘keeper is keen to hear what Newcastle have to say first.

The Jacks – currently a point within the Championship Play-Off places – will likely need to secure their return to the Premier League to be able to pull off a deal, as well.

Steve Cooper’s Liberty Stadium natives could also face top-flight competition for Woodman’s signature, should United not convince the £1.8million-rated goalie of his chances of playing regularly at St. James’ Park.

Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have been long-term admirers of Woodman, who has a vast list of followers with neither the player nor the Magpies planning to allow his contract to enter its final 12 months.

Does Woodman have a future at St. James' Park?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Woodman has been one of the Championship’s best goalkeepers this season, having kept the joint-third-most clean sheets with eight shut outs in 26 games – only Leeds United’s Kiko Casilla (12) and Brentford’s David Raya (nine) have kept more.

With United facing uncertainty over our current back-ups to undisputed first-choice Martin Dubravka, retaining Woodman’s services would go a long way in avoiding having to splash the cash to bring in a new option between the sticks.

Both Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot are out of contract this summer, and chances of a new deal for Darlow seem unlikely with the rumoured Aston Villa target said to be unhappy at his current lack of game time under Steve Bruce.

The boss may have to hold a one-on-one meeting with Woodman to convince the 22-year-old that he would not be restricted to solely taking up a spot on the bench if he were to return to the club, with Dubravka having played each and every minute on offer in the Premier League and FA Cup thus far this season.

In other Newcastle United news, two £15m Toon men are being eyed as upgrades for a struggling Premier League side.

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