A round-up of Newcastle United stories you might have missed from the past 24 hours.
HITC Sport sources understand that Sunderland trialist Robbin Ruiter is also on the radar of Newcastle United as Rafa Benitez looks to strengthen his own goalkeeping department.
Ruiter left FC Utrecht at the end of last season and has since linked up with Sunderland as he looks to win a contract for the coming campaign.
Benitez has already allowed Matz Sels to go, while Tim Krul and Karl Darlow could follow, leaving behind Rob Elliot and Freddie Woodman.
Just how serious Newcastle interest is in Ruiter remains to be seen, but given some of the names said to feature on the Magpies’ radar it is unlikely that the towering Dutchman would arrive anything more than a back up option anyway.
West Ham United’s Darren Randolph
Having said that, another reported goalkeeping target appears to have slipped through Newcastle’s grasp, after Middlesbrough agreed a fee for West Ham United’s Darren Randolph, again, according to HITC Sport sources.
United were linked with the Irishman earlier this week, which prompted an underwhelming social media response – with one supporter suggesting, much to this writer’s amusement, that he ‘couldn’t save a word document’.
But while few tears will be shed should Randolph head to the Riverside, the move could still have repercussions for Newcastle, with Boro then unlikely to pursue their interest in Darlow.
Elsewhere, The Daily Mail is reporting that Newcastle are among the clubs keen on Sheffield Wednesday prodigy George Hirst, after Leicester City and Everton (January) both had offers turned down by the Owls.
Hirst, whose father David is the legendary former Wednesday striker, had only made two appearances for Carlos Carvalhal’s first team and is out of contract at the end of this coming campaign.
The 18-year-old scored 40 goals for club and country last term and was top scorer at the 2017 Toulon Tournament, which he helped England win.
Snodgrass cost the Hammers £10 million in January, but Slaven Bilic’s side are said to want to offload the 29-year-old to part fund Marko Arnautovic’s £24 million arrival from Stoke City – and are apparently ready to cut their losses.
West Ham United’s Robert Snodgrass
Newcastle were linked with the former Hull City player ahead of his move to West Ham, but recently added Jacob Murphy to their pool of wingers.
N’Diaye is said to have held talks over a move to St James’ Park, according to Sky Sports, but Hammers delegates have reportedly travelled to Turkey in order to seal the deal.
And finally, does anyone remember Kristopher Da Graca? The former Arsenal youngster was on trial at Newcastle earlier this year but has now has now signed a two-year deal with Swedish side IFK Goteborg, as confirmed by the club’s official website.
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