AC Milan's Mike Maignan and Rafael Leao. (REUTERS)
Newcastle United have made an approach to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Pope alternative
The Magpies signed Nick Pope over the summer and he was immediately thrown in as the first-choice shot-stopper following Martin Dubravka’s exit.
Eddie Howe landed Loris Karius as a replacement for the Slovakian, though this was only on a short-term contract until January with the option to extend until the end of the season.
Now, it appears that the boss has identified exactly who he wants to bring to the Premier League as more serious competition for Pope.
The Latest: Newcastle eyeing Maignan
According to Italian outlet Calcio Style (via Sport Witness), Newcastle, alongside Brentford and Crystal Palace, are all ‘evaluating ambitious moves’ for Maignan.
It’s stated that his agent, Bruno Satin, ‘collects the proposals’ from England, where the 27-year-old is ‘liked’ by his trio of potential suitors.
The Milan keeper currently wants to ‘honour’ his contract at the San Siro until 2026, though is aware that the ‘sirens’ from the top flight are becoming ‘increasingly insistent’.
The Verdict: Get it done…
Pope is already 30 so the Magpies need to be thinking about signing a long-term replacement, and Maignan would provide an excellent choice between the sticks.
The Frenchman, dubbed ‘top class’ by sports journalist Josh Bunting, has kept 88 clean sheets throughout his career, with 21 of those coming in just 48 appearances for Milan (Transfermarkt).
Maignan also has three senior trophies to his name, so completing a deal if the price was right should be a no-brainer for PIF.
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