Middlesbrough have bid big for Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood – but not big enough.
With Victor Valdes and Brad Guzan both departing Riverside at the end of last season, Middlesbrough are crying out for a new goalkeeper.
And it’s fair to say they are thinking big with a few irons in the fire. According to the Northern Echo, they will return with an improved offer for Newcastle United shot-stopper Karl Darlow after their north east rivals rejected an opening bid of £5 million.
Newcastle are looking for an upgrade for Karl Darlow
Darlow was in fine form as Newcastle sealed the Championship title last season and, somewhat surprisingly, has been made available for the right price this summer. That price, however, appears to be quite a hefty one.
Therefore, with Darlow unlikely and Sam Johnstone set to sign a season-long loan deal at Aston Villa, the Northern Echo claims that Boro have now stepped up their pursuit of Sheffield Wednesday stopper Keiren Westwood.
The one-time Sunderland goalkeeper was one of the few who could match Darlow’s influential displays last season and, understandably, Wednesday do not want to sell.
The report claims that The Owls rejected a bid of £3 million, forcing Boro to return with an offer of £4.5 million for a Premier League quality goalkeeper who has spent the majority of his career in the Championship.
Though if the response of Wednesday fans is anything to go by, Boro may have to dip their hands a little deeper into their pockets.
Keiren Westwood is arguably the best goalkeeper in the Championship
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
