Report: Leeds ask about signing Newcastle’s Freddie Woodman on loan

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Leeds United have reportedly made contact with Newcastle United over a move for Freddie Woodman.

Leeds have reached out to Newcastle to enquire about the possibility of taking Freddie Woodman on loan during the January transfer window, according to a report from the Chronicle.

The Whites’ goalkeeper issues have been well-documented. Will Huffer made his senior debut in the weekend win over Bristol City after Jamal Blackman and Bailey Peacock-Farrell sustained injuries.

Blackman’s season and loan spell at Leeds is over, but Peacock-Farrell returned to the side for their narrow victory over Reading on Tuesday night. Nevertheless, Marcelo Bielsa is still keen to add to his options.

The Chronicle suggests that Leeds have made contact about a potential move for the Magpies stopper, who is keen to leave St James’ Park on a temporary basis to get some first-team football under his belt.

Woodman has made one senior appearance for Rafa Benitez’s side, but was on the bench for Monday’s win against Burnley. However, with Karl Darlow injured for the game, the selection for the trip to Turf Moor probably only highlighted that he is currently third choice ahead of Rob Elliot.

Will Woodman get game-time he craves at Leeds?

In various loan spells and during his time at youth level with England, Woodman has established himself as something of a penalty specialist. He saved a spot-kick in the final of the under-17 European Championship and, incredibly, repeated the trick in the final of the under-20 World Cup last year.

Earlier this year, Woodman managed to save three penalties during Aberdeen’s Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock.

Obviously, a goalkeeper must do a lot more than save penalties, but Woodman’s heroics from 12 yards makes the timing of the report very interesting.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell is now considered a hero amongst Leeds supporters after saving a spot-kick in the dying moments of the win over Reading. It was a remarkable stop from a keeper who was going to be dropped following the international break had Blackman not been injured (via Leeds Live).

The performance and that moment of magic reminded everyone of the academy graduate’s quality. If he can continue that form over the coming weeks, then Leeds will surely be looking for a January signing who plays the backup role.

So if Woodman has to bide his time like Blackman was having to before his loan ended, perhaps he may not be overly keen about heading to Elland Road.