With both Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot out of contract this summer, Bruce will need to bring in another goalkeeper to challenge Martin Dubravka as Newcastle’s number one.
It’s likely too early for Freddie Woodman, whose contract runs out in 2021, to test the Slovakian. Though Freddie has done well on loan Swansea and Newcastle should do their best to get him signed long term.
Steve Bruce will want to have three first-team goalkeepers next season, so we’ll definitely be in the market for some next year. Hopefully, it’ll be someone who can push Dubravka for his place.
A player that Newcastle were linked with last May that could still be on the radar is Nice shot-stopper Walter Benitez. The 27-year-old is out of contract this summer and has spoken in the past of his desire to play in the Premier League.
Walter Benitez– free agent in the summer
This is what the Argentine had to say when asked about interest in him from Premier League clubs last year:
“I like the Premier League. It’s a very important league and I would like to play there one day.
“I don’t think that moving to England is the only way for me to be in the Argentinian team because the main thing is my performances.”
“But to play in the Premier League would probably be good for my chances in the national team.”
Benitez had an outstanding campaign last season for Nice. He led all goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues with an 81% save percentage for shots on target as well as keeping 16 clean sheets.
Nice have been trying for some time to tie Benitez down but so far have been unsuccessful. This is what Benitez had to say last month about his contract situation:
“I am concentrated. I am calm. We are discussing with the club, with my agent (Mino Raiola).
“He is dealing with my future. We will see in a few days. We have had some discussions recently. Things are advancing little by little.
“I would like us to either sign or not in a few days or weeks. It is important for me but also for the club.
“Nice is not an obstacle to me getting into the Argentinian national team. Scaloni (the national team manager) watches some of my matches.”
Hopefully, Newcastle are monitoring Benitez’s situation at Nice. Bruce has mentioned in the past that Newcastle will look to try and bring in some free agents this summer.
A player of Walter Benitez’s quality would be an outstanding addition, especially on a free.
23 comments so far
Captain AmeriMag
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:42 PM
Comment #1Captain AmeriMag’s Positivity Club is thrilled to bring you the latest edition of the Bin Salman Singalong.
Yaaaaay!!
This number is dedicated to our glamorous prospective new Chairwoman and is sung in the 80’s stylings of Boy George’s Culture Club.
And a 1 and a 2:
“Carla Carla Carla Carla Carla DiBelloooooo,
Bring us the Sultan’s Gold, The Sultan’s Gooooold.
Loving Newcastle would be easy and like a dream,
A black & white wet dream, a black & white wet dreeeeeaam!!”
#Carla’sCans
toon22
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:43 PM
Comment #2Gen
Let’s see the PR put a positive spin on that
Might be worth contacting one of the red tops and telling them your story
It’s a shameful new low for the club
Genjikai
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:43 PM
Comment #3Capt
Instead of cans is there a herbal variety to join in with the party.
#Spliffs
toon22
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:46 PM
Comment #4The only way the club has engaged with the fans in the last few years is to call the police and try and intimidate them
Genjikai
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:46 PM
Comment #5Rob
Im not coping out but id prefer not to comment further on the ins and outs.
As my posting is being monitored.
But if youd like to meet up sometime maybe go enjoy a Gateshead match or something then id be happy to go over it.
toon22
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:50 PM
Comment #6The actions of a company that’s being sold as we speak ?
Lindisfarne
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:52 PM
Comment #7Low mark just for effort I am afraid, with those lyrics.
I might have gone with Bell Biv Devoe.
“That girl is poison
Never trust a big butt and smile
That girl is p…o…i…s…o…n”
toon22
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:52 PM
Comment #8Gen
Contact a news paper
They will have a legal team who can advise you of what can be said
You only need to tell the truth , do you have witnesses or physical proof of the events ?
Genjikai
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:54 PM
Comment #9Toon22
Atleast the Pr will be able to confirm it, and if anything is skewed from their side i atleast will know the truth.
#cans
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:55 PM
Comment #10Munster – I’m not getting involved in a cuckold situation, you’ll have to wait until I’m finished 🙂 (apologies to all cuckoldists out there ).
Dubai – interesting article , the continued threat of the big clubs creating a super league and the f.a. and government waving through pretty much anything the big clubs want means they are only going to get stronger whilst toon and the rest of the league feed off meagre scraps (in relative terms) – sure we can buy a 40 million player and pay him 50 / 60k but they can buy a 200 million pound player and pay him 200k a week ( or more ) , the field is on no way level and getting more slanted in favour of the big clubs every season
#cans
Feb 12, 2020 at 12:56 PM
Comment #11Genji, thats disgraceful from the club – as toon22 says, pretty much a new low
toon22
Feb 12, 2020 at 1:02 PM
Comment #12Remember
They can be done for telling lies about the incident too
Our Toon
Feb 12, 2020 at 1:03 PM
Comment #13Cans
Before signing an NDA its stated in fine print what is allowed to be divulged and what isnt essentially or more importantly.
As we have no idea what’s allowed or isnt allowed to be said then you cant exactly say someone can come out and say bid accepted or whatever else it may be.
Ashley wants it done quietly, anyone serious about such a deal would want it done quietly, posturing and talking through media achieves absolutely nothing other than that person or group arent serious. That’s my take on it
#cans
Feb 12, 2020 at 1:09 PM
Comment #14Our Toon – disclosing and discussing public domain information is allowed in pretty much every NDA we’ve signed, my point is that fatty could easily stop all rumours and accusations by simply saying they are in or not in early stage talks / continued dialogue etc etc.
It’s his communication that is at fault, maybe somebody needs to rub his tummy whilst he’s puking in a fireplace off his face somewhere… job for Genji maybe 🙂
#cans
Feb 12, 2020 at 1:20 PM
Comment #15Who knows, football is a strange industry where anything goes seemingly – until the government actually step in and regulate it the fans will always suffer
RobLeenio
Feb 12, 2020 at 1:34 PM
Comment #16Genjikai, totally understand, don’t compromise yourself on a public blog.
Still a disgraceful way to be treated, shocking from the club.
RobLeenio
Feb 12, 2020 at 1:38 PM
Comment #17From Pete Graves re the takeover:
@PeteGravesSky
“Ongoing. Promise I’ll update when I have a significant update. I’m reading the daily requests from fans but nothing really more to say… Yet. #nufc”
It’s a reasonable point of view, I think. I’d rather the press said nowt when there’s nowt to say, rather than filling column inches with nonsense and speculation.
After all, that’s our job
😉
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Feb 12, 2020 at 1:58 PM
Comment #18Ritchie de Laet saying when he was at Stoke: ‘It wasn’t football. I was just kicking it away to whoever was up there and saying, ‘Good luck!’
However, his experience of Steve Bruce was far far worse, stating: ‘The football was similar to Tony Pulis but at least Tony had a plan. I remember Steve would throw the ball into the middle in training and say, ‘Let’s play’, like we were under-nines. It was crazy.’
OAFT
Jiayou! (The next MW)
Feb 12, 2020 at 2:07 PM
Comment #19Genjikai,
You should change your name and grow a moustache. That way Ashleys henchmen will never know its you posting.
on another note – a dozen or so men in white clothes and masks have just turned up and closed the smallish mall next to my house down and are busy spraying everything. people are saying one of the workers in the dominoes has been infected with coronavirus and could have spread it to a large amount of customers. thank god i never eat there.
RobLeenio
Feb 12, 2020 at 2:07 PM
Comment #20Ritchie de Laet has had a long career with many clubs achieving absolutely nowt. He made 8 whole appearances for Aston Villa in three years before they got rid of him.
He’s not likely to have a great opinion of Bruce, who was largely responsible for not playing him.
Probably at least in part sour grapes.
Slatymag
Feb 12, 2020 at 2:11 PM
Comment #21Genjikai
May I suggest you pass your information on to either George Caulkin or Harry De Cosemo. I think your story could form the basis of canny piece showing how football club owners, and our’s in particular, hold their true paymasters -Sky in such high regard, while the paying fans are becoming more and more marginalised (lack of communication, proven lies).
The narrative fits a treat with NUFC as MA seems to have nothing but disdain for his customers, to the extent that even with the rumours of one of the richest organisations in the world interested in finally taking this unwanted burden off his hands we are still unsure whether the Sky ride is just to comfortable for him to get off.
Jail for Ashley
Feb 12, 2020 at 2:11 PM
Comment #22RobLeenio,
Is he one of Dubious Micky’s mates?
#cans
Feb 12, 2020 at 2:16 PM
Comment #23https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/nov/30/steve-bruce-sunderland-sacked