Report: Newcastle United could earn impressive profit by selling Tim Krul to Benfica

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Tim Krul joined Newcastle United for a minimal fee a decade ago and could depart for far more.

Such is the nature of the game in Portugal, Benfica have been forced to get used to replacing their key players on an annual basis. Yet, with the new Primeira Liga season up and running already, there is a giant void between the sticks left by the departure of Ederson Moraes to Manchester City.

Portuguese publication A Bola reports that Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, one of the most reliable in the Bundesliga last season, is on their radar, as is PSV’s Dutch international Jeroen Zoet.

However, a move for Tim Krul, who the report adds is another potential target, would benefit all parties. After all, Newcastle United have made clear that the 29-year-old has no future under Rafael Benitez with the manager on the lookout for a new long-term number one.

Furthermore, a move to a club of Benfica’s stature could be exactly what Krul needs to get a once positive career back on track.

Since rupturing his cruciate ligament on international duty with the Netherlands in October 2015, Krul has struggled for form and consistency, enduring mixed loans at Ajax and AZ Alkmaar last season.

And the report adds that Benfica would be willing to pay around £4.5 million for a goalkeeper once viewed as one of the Premier League’s best. With a number of other potential suitors, including cash-strapped La Liga strugglers Deportivo, refusing to pay such an amount, according to El Desmarque, Newcastle should bite Benfica’s hand off.

Krul arrived at St James’ Park as a teenager from ADO Den Haag back in 2006 for a fee of just £220,000 (Daily Mail). After a decade of loyal service, he could earn the club a rather healthy profit.