Newcastle United supporters in the Transfer Tavern are very much looking forward to the remainder of the summer transfer window, what with it looking likely that manager Rafa Benitez will stay at the club.
The Spaniard did a terrific job in leading the North East heavyweights to a tenth place finish upon their return to the Premier League this season, this all despite spending very little money in either transfer window. And with uncertainty over whether the 58-year-old will get sufficient funds this summer, there were some very concerned Magpies supporters in the Tavern last month when the West Ham job came up, what with Benitez linked with the role.
However, Manuel Pellegrini took that job to the delight of Newcastle fans up and down the country, with several of those Magpies supporters lining up at the bar now fully focused on the summer window, and what business their side may seek to conduct.
And one man who looks to be on his way out of St James’ Park is Chancel Mbemba, with recent reports suggesting that the defender is set to join Porto, and could do so by the end of the week.
And with Mbemba off, £4.05 million-rated star Karl Darlow (as per Transfermarkt) must now seek to follow him out of the Newcastle exit door, as his first team chances look bleak heading into the 2018/19 season.
Ultimately, the 27-year-old was the man Benitez trusted between the sticks in their Championship campaign last time round, but the Spaniard was clearly less convinced about his top-flight credentials given he switched Darlow and Rob Elliot in the first half of the season.
And Benitez’s obvious concerns were none-more-so evident than when he lured Martin Dubravka to the North East on loan back in January, with the Slovakia international going on to play all 12 Premier League matches following his arrival.
And with his temporary move having been made permanent in recent times, Darlow looks set for a sustained spell on the substitute’s bench next season if he remains at Newcastle, as there is no doubting that Dubravka is a better all round goalkeeper than the former Nottingham Forest ace.
Like Mbemba, it’s clear that the 27-year-old is down the pecking order and destined for frustration at St James’, and with the goalkeeping position the one area of the squad whereby a back-up is not going to get regular football, a move away for Darlow this summer is certainly in his best interests.
Thus, with Mbemba seemingly off in the coming days, Englishman Darlow should seek to follow his teammate’s lead by leaving the North East giants as well this summer.
Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!
