A new goalkeeper appears to be a high priority for Newcastle United this summer with Loris Karius confirmed as leaving and Martin Dubravka tipped to follow.
That would leave Newcastle with just Nick Pope and Mark Gillespie as first-team options so it makes sense that the Magpies are looking to get deals done for replacements.
Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal is a name that keeps popping up, but there's a feeling that a deal for Ramsdale could be a tricky one to do.
Another target for the Magpies is Georgian 'keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili who plays for Valencia.
Spanish journalist Nacho Sanchis has posted on X that Newcastle have offered €25million (£21million) plus bonuses for the 23-year-old.
However, he goes on to say that Valencia are holding out for something closer to €40million (£34million) which will scupper Newcastle's plans of getting a deal done quickly.
In 36 La Liga games this season, Mamardashvili has kept 13 clean sheets, conceding 39 goals in total. For comparison, Martin Dubravka conceded 42 goals in 23 games keeping five clean sheets.
It seems obvious, then, that Mamardashvili would be a huge step up from Dubravka if this season's stats are anything to go by.
With his age too, he could become our number one for a long time to come and that could come into play when Newcastle enter negotiations with Valencia.
It sounds like there's a deal to be done, but the clubs are miles away on price at the moment.
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
14 | 18 | 35 |
2 |
Chelsea
|
15 | 17 | 31 |
3 |
Arsenal
|
15 | 14 | 29 |
4 |
Manchester City
|
15 | 6 | 27 |
5 |
Nottingham Forest
|
15 | 1 | 25 |
6 |
Aston Villa
|
15 | 0 | 25 |
7 |
Brighton
|
15 | 3 | 24 |
8 |
Bournemouth
|
15 | 3 | 24 |
9 |
Brentford
|
15 | 3 | 23 |
10 |
Fulham
|
15 | 2 | 23 |
11 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
15 | 12 | 20 |
12 |
Newcastle United
|
15 | -2 | 20 |
13 |
Manchester United
|
15 | 1 | 19 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
15 | -9 | 16 |
15 |
Everton
|
14 | -7 | 14 |
16 |
Leicester
|
15 | -9 | 14 |
17 |
Crystal Palace
|
15 | -6 | 13 |
18 |
Wolves
|
15 | -14 | 10 |
19 |
Ipswich
|
15 | -13 | 9 |
20 |
Southampton
|
15 | -20 | 5 |