Newcastle United want Alphonse Areola and have now made their first move for the Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper by opening talks.
Newcastle have been linked with a host of goalkeepers with Bernd Leno and Dean Henderson just two of the names mentioned.
The Magpies do have a first-choice stopper in Martin Dubravka but Karl Darlow and Freddie Woodman look likely to leave this summer.
That means Newcastle may take the opportunity to bring in a top goalkeeper and possibly move Dubravka to the bench next season.
Newcastle United want Alphonse Areola
The Daily Mail reported last week that Newcastle had joined the race to sign Areola from Paris Saint-Germain.
RMC Sport have an update today as they claim that Newcastle have taken concrete steps towards signing Areola.
Newcastle have started discussions with PSG over a potential deal for Areola that may leave West Ham fuming.
Fabrizio Romano reported in May that West Ham were close to securing Areola permanently for £7.7million.
Areola spent this past season on loan at West Ham and David Moyes seemed keen on signing him own a permanent basis.
Yet that deal still hasn’t been done and Newcastle may be sensing an opportunity to swoop in and beat West Ham to Areola.
West Ham’s permanent option on Areola is valid until June 30th, meaning the Hammers do have some time, but Newcastle’s interest just complicates things a little.
The 29-year-old only played one Premier League game last season but equipped himself well in cup and European games.
Formerly of Fulham too, Areola has two years of experience in English football now and may be just what Newcastle want.
That £7.7million fee won’t be a problem for Newcastle and may be more palatable than the huge money needed for a keeper like Henderson.
Hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Mark Noble, Areola was seemingly a popular figure at West Ham and Newcastle may be ready to move in with a bid of their own.
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