A Championship battle is developing for Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow with Hull City reportedly ‘desperate’ to beat Middlesbrough to his signing.
With Champions League football on it’s way back to St James’ Park after a two decade absence, Eddie Howe’s side will use this summer to get themselves toned-up and ready for Europe.
And that means saying goodbye to a number of players who, unfairly or not, will be remembered as unfortunate relics of a far more miserable, far more mediocre era at Newcastle United.
Newcastle confirmed last week that Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff will leave when their contracts expire. There are also doubts over the futures of Matt Ritchie, Jamaal Lascelles, Javier Manquillo and co. Three players who, next to the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, feel almost like a collection of rusty hatchbacks gathering dust in the back of a Bentley garage.
Karl Darlow is leaving Newcastle United
The long-serving Karl Darlow, according to The Northern Echo, is departing too. That is despite the fact that his own contract still has a further two months left to run.
Middlesbrough are keen. Hull City too; Liam Rosenior’s side ‘desperate’ to retain the 32-year-old shot-stopper after he impressed on loan during the second half of last term.
Darlow enjoyed his time on Humberside. But a move only a few miles down the road to the Riverside may hold greater appeal for a man who has spent almost a decade in the North East.
The admiration Rosenior holds for Darlow, however, is very much reciprocated. The Tigers will hope to build on a respectable mid-table finish next term under the former Derby coach. Hull lost just five of their final 25 Championship games.
“He (Rosenior) speaks really well,” Darlow told Hull Live in April. “Even in the meetings and we have meetings most days, there’s a lot of tactical work and him trying to get his ideas across.
“The players are still relatively new to the way we’re playing. I know he’s been here a while but there are still things to learn. And I think that will make us better as a team.
“He comes across as a lot more experienced. He’s motivated to get this club to where he wants it to be.”
Michael Carrick’s Boro side, meanwhile, need a new number one. Zack Steffen is back at Manchester United after a loan spell at Riverside.
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