Newcastle United are battling Crystal Palace and Watford for Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis.
The agent of Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis has told Calcio Napoli 24 that he will be joining one of Crystal Palace, Newcastle United or Watford this summer, ruling Napoli out of the race.
Karnezis, 32, featured for Panathinaikos and Granada before heading to Udinese in 2014, where he has been excelling in Serie A ever since.
The Greek international, who has racked up 42 caps for his country, has made more than 100 appearances for Udinese, and his displays have attracted major interest this summer.
Tutto Mercato Web reported earlier this summer that Newcastle had made an offer to sign Karnezis, whilst Napoli were also hoping to sign him and keep him in Italy amid questions over Pepe Reina’s future at the Stadio San Paolo.
Now, Karnezis’ agent, Vasileios Panagiotakis, has told Calcio Napoli 24 – as translated by Football Italia – that Karnezis will not be signing for Napoli, and is instead joining one of three Premier League clubs – Crystal Palace, Newcastle United or Watford.
“Karnezis will play in England for one from Watford, Newcastle United and Crystal Palace,” said Panagiotakis. “The Napoli option is now definitively off the table,” he added.
Crystal Palace are in the market for a new goalkeeper having allowed Steve Mandanda to re-join Marseille this summer, and after seeing Wayne Hennessey leak three goals against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, the situation is becoming important for new manager Frank de Boer.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United have allowed Matz Sels to join Anderlecht on loan whilst Karl Darlow could be on the chopping block, which left Rob Elliot as the club’s first-choice stopper against Tottenham on Sunday, meaning Karnezis could give Rafael Benitez a proven, international goalkeeper to steady his back line.
Finally, Watford and the Pozzo family have ties to Granada and Udinese, meaning they have dealt with Karnezis before, but that advantage could be offset by the fact that he would have to vie with Heurelho Gomes for a starting spot, and he may prefer more guaranteed football with Newcastle or Palace.
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