Karl Darlow may well be forced into staying with Newcastle United.
Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has suggested to The Chronicle that he hopes goalkeeper Karl Darlow has a future with the club – and the Magpies ace may be forced into staying anyway.
The Magpies are widely expected to make a move for a new goalkeeper this summer, with ESPN claiming that RB Leipzig’s Peter Gulacsi is the latest shot-stopper on Benitez’s radar.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
A new signing would further Newcastle’s overhaul of the position, with Matz Sels already loaned out to Anderlecht in his native Belgium and Tim Krul frozen out ahead of an expected move away from the club.
Rob Elliot remains as the club, as does Karl Darlow – but speculation has surrounded the 26-year-old’s future this summer, despite him spending the majority of last season as Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Manager Benitez has now told The Chronicle that he hopes Darlow stays at St. James’ Park, but the goalkeeper may not have much choice given how his options to leave are diminishing rapidly.
Just over two weeks ago, Sky Sports reported that Middlesbrough had failed with a £5million bid for Darlow, whilst Aston Villa and Reading were also pursuing his signature.
Newcastle United’s Karl Darlow
However, since then, all three have signed other goalkeepers; Boro landed West Ham’s Darren Randolph, Villa swooped to re-sign Sam Johnstone on loan from Manchester United and Reading snapped up Sunderland stopper Vito Mannone, making it seem almost impossible that any of those teams would now pursue a deal for Darlow.
With no other clubs linked right now, Darlow’s chances of leaving Newcastle have taken a hit – and whilst Benitez says he hopes Darlow stays, it remains to be seen whether his future is tied to his pursuit of signing another goalkeeper this summer.
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