The Newcastle United boss ‘hopes’ Karl Darlow has a future in the North-East.
Rafael Benitez has told The Chronicle he is hopeful that Karl Darlow has a future at Newcastle United beyond this summer.
The 26-year-old played a big role in helping Newcastle win promotion back to the Premier League last season.
But fast forward a few months and Darlow’s future at the Magpies seems far from certain, with Benitez seemingly in the market for another goalkeeper.
If and when he gets one, the former Nottingham Forest stopper could be the Spaniard’s third-choice option between the sticks, given he is behind Rob Elliot at the moment.
Despite speculation about his future, Darlow was brought on the club’s pre-season trip to Ireland recently and was a second-half substitute in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Preston.
However, Benitez, who introduced him at the break, withdrew him after just 26 minutes in favour of Freddie Woodman.
Asked by The Chronicle if Darlow has a future at the club, the former Liverpool manager replied: “I hope so.”
“We have three keepers and we had to give them some time so we couldn’t leave one person on the bench because after one week I think they all needed to play.”
Newcastle, according to The Northern Echo, want £8 million for the promising goalkeeper and it is difficult to see Darlow staying at St James’s Park if such an offer was lodged, despite Benitez’s latest comments.
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