Newcastle United have left Freddie Woodman out of their pre-season plans as Premier League rivals Leeds United look to bring the highly-rated goalkeeper to Elland Road, as reported by the Shields Gazette.
Say whatever you want about Newcastle, they are never short of top-class goalkeepers.
On the back of two successful seasons on loan at Swansea City, 24-year-old Woodman might have expected to force his way into the first-team picture when returning to St James’ Park.
But with Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka still ahead of him in the pecking order, it seems the England U21 international will be forced to go elsewhere in search of a long-awaited Premier League debut instead.
Somewhere like Leeds, for instance.
Will Freddie Woodman swap Newcastle for Leeds?
The Yorkshire Evening Post reported on Tuesday that director of football Victor Orta had drawn up a three-man shortlist as he looks for a goalkeeper capable of replacing the departing Kiko Casilla, all the while challenging Ilan Meslier for a starting berth under Marcelo Bielsa.
Woodman has emerged as one of the chosen three, alongside Levante’s Dani Cardenas and Valarenga youngster Kristoffer Klaesson.
While Levante are desperate to hang on to Cardenas – the La Liga outfit are attempting to increase his release clause to somewhere in the region of £43 million – the same cannot be said of Newcastle and Woodman.
The U20 World Cup winner is not part of Steve Bruce’s plans on Tyneside, having been left out of Newcastle’s squad for this week’s pre-season clashes with York City and Harrogate Town.
While a fine shot-stopper – one who has a superb track record when it comes to saving penalties – Woodman would be under serious pressure to improve his distribution should he make the switch to West Yorkshire.
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