Reported Newcastle target Bruno Varela would be a massive waste of money

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Premier League Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing the Benfica goalkeeper Bruno Varela in the summer transfer window.

Do Newcastle United really need a goalkeeper right now? The answer is probably no.

The Magpies sealed the £5.2 million permanent transfer of Martin Dubravka recently, after the Slovakian international spent the second half of last season on loan on Tyneside from Sparta Prague.

Few had heard of Dubravka before his arrival but he was an absolute revelation between the sticks, helping Rafa Benitez’s side finish the season in the top half.

Behind him in the pecking order is Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow. Both were given their chance before Dubravka’s arrival midway through 2017/18 and, to be honest, neither did anything to suggest that they were not solid Premier League goalkeepers, particularly Elliot.

And we have not even mentioned the England U20 World Cup winner Freddie Woodman, who has been tipped to be a future number one at St James’ Park.

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So surely there are better ways for Newcastle to spend their money than buying the Benfica shot-stopper Bruno Varela? Record claims that the Magpies are keen on the Portuguese goalkeeper, who has kept 14 clean sheets in just 35 games for Benfica.

Varela is one of the biggest goalkeeping talents around right now and, understandably, would not come cheap with Benfica usually demanding big fees for their players. The Sun reported earlier in the week that Watford could start the bidding at £13 million.

But with Dubrakva number one and Elliott, Darlow and Woodman providing back up, this is £13 million Newcastle would be better off spending on a striker, a number ten or a left-back.