Kepa Arrizabalaga is one of two goalkeepers Newcastle United are eyeing ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports.Â
The lowdown
Newcastle signed three defenders, a central midfielder and a striker in January, but didn’t recruit a new ‘keeper.
33-year-old Martin Dubravka is currently established as Eddie Howe’s no. 1 option.
Arrizabalaga, six years his junior, is the most expensive goalkeeper in history, but his estimated value has plummeted to just £9million (Transfermarkt, a drop of 83% down from £54m).
The former Athletic Bilbao stopper, who’s under contract until the summer of 2025, is playing second fiddle to Edouard Mendy at Stamford Bridge.
The latest
Spanish source Fichajes (via Sport Witness) report that Arrizabalaga could ‘seek a way out’ of Stamford Bridge this summer. Newcastle are interested and stand out as a ‘very good option’ for the Spaniard.
Elsewhere, Turkish outlet Takvim (again via Sport Witness) claim that Newcastle are one of the clubs following £15.3million-rated Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir ‘closely’.
They’re expected to establish contact with the Super Lig outfit with a view to potentially making a move.
The verdict
These links suggest that Howe is plotting potential upgrades on Martin Dubravka, but should that be a priority?
Well, in terms of shot-stopping, he’s enjoying a fine season, with only Jose Sa and David de Gea bettering his record in the top flight (via FBRef).
But could it be that the manager wants a ‘keeper with more refined ball-playing abilities?
Dubravka kicks the ball more than 40 yards 53.2% of the time, compared to just 28% for Arrizabalaga. That suggests the Chelsea man is more inclined to try to build an attack from the back.
It’s possible, of course, that Dubravka is more direct on the manager’s instruction, but Howe may believe that recruitment is key to a stylistic evolution.
In other news, could this be another GK target?Â
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