Newcastle United were reportedly interested in signing Wayne Hennessey over the summer.
Newcastle missed out on a number of summer transfer targets, but manager Rafael Benitez won’t be too disappointed at missing out on some of them.
The Magpies had hoped to make considerable reinforcements following their promotion back to the Premier League, and whilst Benitez may have hoped for more new signings, he has made a good start to the season with the players he did manage to bring in.
After tying up a permanent deal for winger Christian Atsu, Benitez then brought in Florian Lejeune, Javier Manquillo, Mikel Merino, Jacob Murphy and Joselu – but he didn’t manage to snap up a new goalkeeper.
Matz Sels was loaned out to Anderlecht before Tim Krul joined Brighton, leaving Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow as Benitez’s two goalkeepers, and many thought a new No. 1 would arrive before the transfer deadline.
However, Newcastle didn’t bring in a new shot-stopper, despite late speculation from The Sun suggesting that a move for Crystal Palace’s Wayne Hennessey was a possibility for the Magpies.
Hennessey, 30, has never quite convinced as Palace goalkeeper, and Newcastle fans were far from encouraged by the speculation of a move for the Welsh international, with his early-season form hinting they were right.
Hennessey has conceded 17 goals in just seven Premier League games this season, by far the most in the Premier League, and whilst the defending in front of him hasn’t helped, there has also been questionable goalkeeping from Hennessey.
Conversely, Newcastle have conceded just six goals this term with Elliot in goal, and whilst he may not be the long-term answer for Benitez, he should prevent the Magpies from even considering a new move for Hennessey – and Newcastle may be able to line up a move for an even better goalkeeper in 2018 having missed out on Hennessey in August.
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