Championship duo Leeds United and Aston Villa were both reportedly interested in Newcastle’s Premier League understudy Karl Darlow.
Karl Darlow looked set to leave Newcastle United in the January transfer window, with two of the Championship’s biggest clubs allegedly offering him an escape route out of St James’ Park.
That was according to the Sun, who claimed that Leeds United and Aston Villa were both lining up £4 million bids to sign the 28-year-old shot-stopper.
Their interest certainly made sense. Former Nottingham Forest youngster Darlow was one of Newcastle’s star men as they won the Championship title in 2017, producing some outstanding performances between the sticks, and looked a potential upgrade on Bailey Peacock-Farrell or Orjan Nyland.
But, rather than aid Leeds or Villa’s pursuit of Premier League football, Darlow now looks set to spend the next four months on the sidelines.
After all, both clubs now have new, big name goalkeepers in their ranks. Leeds completed the shock signing of Kiko Casilla from Real Madrid last week while Aston Villa landed Croatian international Lovre Kalinic from KAA Gent for £7 million (Telegraph).
Speaking to the Chronicle, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has now admitted that Darlow is set to stay on Tyneside until the summer.
Having failed to make a single Premier League appearance all season, with Newcastle’s number one Martin Dubravka in top form, let’s hope the substitute’s bench at St James’ Park is a comfortable one.
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