Rafa Benitez responds to reports Leeds want Freddie Woodman

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Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing Newcastle United stopper Freddie Woodman in January.

In comments reported by the Chronicle, Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has insisted that it is too early to think about whether he will allow Freddie Woodman to leave the Magpies in January as Leeds reportedly eye a loan move for the stopper.

The Chronicle reported towards the end of November that the Championship high-flyers were keen on bringing the youngster to Elland Road for the rest of the campaign after Jamal Blackman suffered a season-ending injury.

Their report suggested that Leeds had already reached out to Newcastle about a potential deal. But Benitez has now insisted that Woodman’s future will not be discussed until the window is open.

“At the moment we don’t talk about our players leaving,” he said, as reported by the Chronicle. “We’re also not saying anything on players arriving.

“We’re happy with what we have at the moment. Then we’ll decide what to do with our players in January. Freddie is training well.”

It would arguably be a surprise if Leeds did bring Woodman in during the January transfer window.

If he is going to leave the Magpies next month, you would imagine it would be for a side that can promise him game-time, especially if he is only joining on loan.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell has had his faults at Leeds this season, but he has reestablished himself as the number one. Woodman only needs to look at how Blackman’s loan played out before his injury to know that it could be a frustrating move for him if he did join the Whites.

Leeds would unquestionably be getting a very good deal if they managed to pull a move off. But given Peacock-Farrell’s current form, it is no guarantee that Woodman will get the game-time he craves, so Newcastle should look to steer him elsewhere unless the Whites keeper’s form dips again before January.