Newcastle United have been gifted a potential transfer boost in their pursuit of Kristoffer Ajer, which involves Freddie Woodman.
The Lowdown: Woodman had great season
Woodman has come off the back of a great 2020/21 season with Swansea City under Steve Cooper, playing in no fewer than 52 games in total over all competitions, keeping 22 clean sheets in the process (Transfermarkt).
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He was vital in getting the Swans into the EFL Championship play-off final, in where they unfortunately lost out 2-0 to Brentford at Wembley Stadium.
However, with Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow still at St. James’ Park, there is a question mark over whether there is a place for Woodman in Steve Bruce’s squad, meaning that he may be open to the possibility of selling him if a good offer comes in in the summer window.
The Latest: Woodman and Ajer could be swapped
As per Football Insider, Woodman could be used in a potential swap deal to lure Ajer away from Celtic and to the North East.
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The Hoops have enquired over the availability of the English goalkeeper, and a recruitment source has told the news outlet that they are not the only club keen on securing his signature.
A part-exchange deal with Ajer is a possibility, although the Tyneside club would prefer to ship Woodman out on loan again or just sell him permanently.
The Verdict: Perfect for Newcastle
The Magpies must surely consider swapping Woodman, a player who may not get much game time come the new campaign, for a player who would vastly improve their team in Ajer.
Described as an ‘outstanding’ player back in March by former Toon ace Lee Clark, who managed him during a loan spell at Kilmarnock, Norway international Ajer is certainly ready to make the step up to the Premier League, and standing at a mammoth six-foot-six-inches tall, he should have no problems at all in coping with its physical and aerial demands.
At just 23 years of age as well, Ajer will only get better, and that is the same with Woodman at 24 – the difference of course, is Woodman has two quality options in front of him in the pecking order.
Thus, NUFC could go through with a straight swap or even sell Woodman separately for a decent amount of money given his age, and use that in any deal to buy Ajer.
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