A new goalkeeper could be on the agenda for Newcastle United this summer.
Indeed, the department as it stands looks pretty stacked for Newcastle.
Nick Pope, so highly rated by Eddie Howe, is back from injury and wants to stay at St James’ Park.
Martin Dubravka is also on the books for the moment, albeit the fact he may depart is what could leave Howe a little light.
Loris Karius has been released and despite the fact that Mark Gillespie has signed a new contract, it’s difficult to imagine him suddenly starting to feature in squads regularly, having never really done so in his Newcastle career.
The likes of James Trafford is reportedly a target as the club attempt to put a bid together that would convince Burnley to sell, while Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili was understood to have been deemed too expensive.
Away from those bigger names, it seems a more experienced option could be targeted to replace Karius.
One of the names linked has just bid farewell to his current club, too.
John Ruddy says goodbye to Birmingham amid Newcastle offer
According to The Mirror, Newcastle are one of the clubs who have made an offer to former England international, John Ruddy.
The veteran 37-year-old won his only England cap in 2012 as is vastly experienced, amassing 122 Premier League appearances over the course of his career.
Ruddy joined Birmingham in 2022 but left the club as a free agent in the wake of their relegation to League One and has now bid an emotional farewell message on Instagram.
“I would just like to say thank you,” he wrote.
“Thank you to all of you bluenoses that made me and my family feel so welcome at your wonderful club over the last 2 years.
“It didn’t end as any of us wanted to but I hope the one thing that you can say about me was I gave everything every time I pulled the shirt on. Sometimes it was enough and other times it wasn’t to be but it was a genuine privilege to play for your club.
“I wish the players, staff and fans nothing but success and as I’ve said previously I believe the club will get to where they want and should be!
“Good luck and thank you again.”
John Ruddy could prove cheap alternative for Newcastle
While signing a player approaching 40 in a back-up role is hardly likely to set pulses racing on Tyneside, bringing in a free agent would help on the FFP front.
Back in April, the Daily Telegraph actually linked Middlesbrough’s Seny Dieng as a potential replacement for Karius, though suggested he could cost up to £4m.
With that in mind, moving for a free agent in a role not all that important to first-team matters anyway does seem wise.
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